Anisotropic viscous universe with variableG and Λ

An anisotropic model with variableG and and bulk viscosity is considered. The model exhibits an inflationary behavior during which the coefficient of bulk viscosity varies lineraly with the energy density. This allows the anisotropy energy to decrease exponentially with time. Other results overlap with our earlier work with a different ansatz for . The gravitational constant was found to increase during the radiation and matter epochs.     

Bulk viscous LRS Bianchi-I Universe with variable G and decaying Λ

The present study deals with spatially homogeneous and totally anisotropic locally rotationally symmetric (LRS) Bianchi type I cosmological model with variable G and Λ in presence of imperfect fluid. To get the deterministic model of Universe, we assume that the expansion (θ) in the model is proportional to shear (σ). This condition leads to A=ℓB ⁿ , where A, B are metric potential. The cosmological constant Λ is found to be decreasing function of time and it approaches a small positive value at late time which is supported by recent Supernovae Ia (SN Ia) observations. Also it is evident that the distance modulus curve of derived model matches with observations perfectly.     

Thermodynamics of the universe filled with perfect fluid having variable equation of state

Recently, a field theoretic model for a UV complete theory of gravity has been proposed by Hor̃ava. This theory is a non-relativistic renormalizable gravity theory which coincides with Einstein’s general relativity at large distances. Subsequently Lü et al. have formulated the modified Friedmann equations and have presented a solution in vacuum. In the present work, we rewrite the modified FRW equations in the form of usual FRW equations in Einstein gravity and consequences have been analyzed. Also the thermodynamics of the FRW universe has been studied.     

Bulk viscous cosmological models of universe with variable deceleration parameter in Lyra’s Manifold

FRW models of universe in the presence of viscous fluid are investigated in the cosmological theory based on Lyra’s Manifold. By considering the deceleration parameter to be a variable and the viscosity coefficient of bulk viscous fluid to be a constant, exacts solutions have been obtained from which three forms of model of the universe are derived. The physical properties of the models are also investigated.     

Exact solution of perfect fluid massive string cosmology in Bianchi type?III space-time with decaying vacuum energy density?Λ

Exact solution of Einstein’s field equations is obtained for massive string cosmological model of Bianchi III space-time using the technique given by Letelier (Phys. Rev. D 20:2414, 1983) in presence of perfect fluid and decaying vacuum energy density Λ. To get the deterministic solution of the field equations the expansion θ in the model is considered as proportional to the eigen value s² ₂\sigma^{2}_{~2} of the shear tensor s^j _i\sigma^{j}_{~i} and also the fluid obeys the barotropic equation of state. The vacuum energy density Λ is found to be positive and a decreasing function of time which is supported by the results from recent supernovae Ia observations. It is also observed that in early stage of the evolution of the universe string dominates over the particle whereas the universe is dominated by massive string at the late time. Some physical and geometric properties of the model are also discussed.     

A semi-analytical model of the Galilean satellites’ dynamics

The Galilean satellites’ dynamics has been studied extensively during the last century. In the past it was common to use analytical expansions in order to get simple models to integrate, but with the new generation of computers it became prevalent the numerical integration of very sophisticated and almost complete equations of motion. In this article we aim to describe the resonant and secular motion of the Galilean satellites through a Hamiltonian, depending on the slow angles only, obtained with an analytical expansion of the perturbing functions and an averaging operation. In order to have a model as near as possible to the actual dynamics, we added perturbations and we considered terms that in similar studies of the past were neglected, such as the terms involving the inclinations and the Sun’s perturbation. Moreover, we added the tidal dissipation into the equations, in order to investigate how well the model captures the evolution of the system.     

Bulk viscous fluid hypersurface–homogeneous cosmological models with time varying G and Λ

Hypersurface–homogeneous cosmological models containing a bulk viscous fluid with time varying G and Λ have been presented. We have shown that the field equations are solvable for any arbitrary cosmic scale function. The viscosity coefficient of bulk viscous fluid is assumed to be a power function of the energy density. Exact solutions of Einstein’s field equations are obtained which represent an expanding, shearing and accelerating/decelerating models of the universe. The physical and kinematical behaviours of the models are also discussed.     

The cyclical reversible transitions of the universe’s evolution

In this work we propose cyclical reversible transitions as the scenario in which the universe evolves, through a series consisting of reversible expansion, temporary stability, and contraction. Our model is based on the comparison between local and global time-dependent densities {ρ ₀(τ ₀),ρ(τ)} instead of the critical density ρ _c, local and global time-dependent Hubble parameters {H ₀(τ ₀),H(τ)}, and the variations {Δρ(τ),ΔH(τ)} due to cosmological chaotic fluctuations, which are generally ignored in certain oscillating models. By taking into account all these factors, a rate equation in the form of (H ₀/H)² ∝(ρ ₀/ρ) has been established, and from it we derive some others, to provide a mechanism that is responsible for the cyclical reversible transitions. Also, the problems of singularities, black hole overproduction, and the second law of thermodynamics arising in oscillating universe models are conceptually resolved.     

Accelerating universe with time variation of G and Λ

We study a gravitational model in which scale transformations play the key role in obtaining dynamical G and Λ. We take a non-scale invariant gravitational action with a cosmological constant and a gravitational coupling constant. Then, by a scale transformation, through a dilaton field, we obtain a new action containing cosmological and gravitational coupling terms which are dynamically dependent on the dilaton field with Higgs type potential. The vacuum expectation value of this dilaton field, through spontaneous symmetry breaking on the basis of anthropic principle, determines the time variations of G and Λ. The relevance of these time variations to the current acceleration of the universe, coincidence problem, Mach’s cosmological coincidence and those problems of standard cosmology addressed by inflationary models, are discussed. The current acceleration of the universe is shown to be a result of phase transition from radiation toward matter dominated eras. No real coincidence problem between matter and vacuum energy densities exists in this model and this apparent coincidence together with Mach’s cosmological coincidence are shown to be simple consequences of a new kind of scale factor dependence of the energy momentum density as ρ∼a ⁻⁴. This model also provides the possibility for a super fast expansion of the scale factor at very early universe by introducing exotic type matter like cosmic strings.     

A phenomenological model for the precession of planets and bending of light

We presented a phenomenological mode that attributes the precession of perihelion of planets to the relativistic correction. This modifies Newton’s equation by adding an inversely cube term with distance. The total energy of the new system is found to be the same as the Newtonian one. Moreover, we have deduced the deflection of light formula from Rutherford scattering. The relativistic term can be accounted for quantum correction of the gravitational potential and/or self energy of objects.     

Characteristic actionsħ (s) in the structure of the universe and the problem of the origin of galaxies

From the characteristic actions ^(s), we can derive various relations between the basic characteristic quantities of objects and the fundamental constants in known physical laws. The main physical processes which lead to the formation of objects should be included in some such reletions through the fundamental constants. The problem of the origin of galaxies has been considered on the basis of the theory of actions ^(s). It has been shown that in addition to gravitational effect, the dissipation process of the adiabatic density perturbations arising from the Thomson scattering in the early universe is a crucial process in forming galaxies; and if the Hubble constant has a valueH ₀ 50 km s^–1 Mpc^–1, the protogalaxies might be formed just before recombination.     

Zel’dovich Λ and Weinberg’s relation: an explanation for the cosmological coincidences

In 1937 Dirac proposed the large number hypothesis (LNH). The idea was to explain that these numbers were large because the Universe is old. A time variation of certain “constants” was assumed. So far, no experimental evidence has significantly supported this time variation. Here we present a simplified cosmological model. We propose a new cosmological system of units, including a cosmological Planck’s constant that “absorbs” the well known large number 10¹²⁰. With this new Planck’s constant no large numbers appear at the cosmological level. They appear at lower levels, e.g. at the quantum world. We note here that Zel’dovich formula, for the cosmological constant Λ, is equivalent to the Weinberg’s relation. The immediate conclusion is that the speed of light c must be proportional to the Hubble parameter H, and therefore decrease with time. We find that the gravitational radius of the Universe and its size are one and the same constant (Mach’s principle). The usual cosmological Ω’s parameters for mass, lambda and curvature turn out to be all constants of order one. The anthropic principle is not necessary in this theory. It is shown that a factor of 10⁶¹ converts in this theory a Planck fluctuation (a quantum black hole) into a cosmological quantum black hole: the Universe today. General relativity and quantum mechanics give the same local solution of an expanding Universe with the law a(t)≈const?t. This constant is just the speed of light today. Then the Hubble parameter is exactly H=a(t)′/a(t)=1/t.     

A continuum model for the orbit evolution of self-propelled ‘smart dust’ swarms

A continuity equation is developed to model the evolution of a swarm of self-propelled ‘smart dust’ devices in heliocentric orbit driven by solar radiation pressure. These devices are assumed to be MEMs-scale (micro-electromechanical systems) with a large area-to-mass ratio. For large numbers of devices it will be assumed that a continuum approximation can be used to model their orbit evolution. The families of closed-form solutions to the resulting swarm continuity equation then represent the evolution of the number density of devices as a function of both position and time from a set of initial data. Forcing terms are also considered which model swarm sources and sinks (device deposition and device failure). The closed-form solutions presented for the swarm number density provide insights into the behaviour of swarms of self-propelled ‘smart dust’ devices an can form the basis of more complex mission design methodologies.     

Mach’s principle and Yukawa-like corrections to the Newtonian potential as a bound for the mean energy density of the universe

The (Newton + Yukawa)-type gravitational potential V(r)=?(γ M/r)[1+Aexp?(?r/B)](γ= the gravitational constant as measured at infinity, M= the mass of the source, A, B are constants) is considered in the framework of the Sciama linear approach to Mach’s principle. The coupling constant A of the Yukawa component is found to be related to the mass density and size of the observable (causally connected) universe.     

The influence of magnetic fields on the Sunyaev–Zel’dovich effect in clusters of galaxies

We study the influence of intracluster large scale magnetic fields on the thermal Sunyaev–Zel’dovich (SZ) effect. In a macroscopic approach we complete the hydrostatic equilibrium equation with the magnetic field pressure component. Comparing the resulting mass distribution with a standard one, we derive a new electron density profile. For a spherically symmetric cluster model, this new profile can be written as the product of a standard (β-) profile and a radius dependent function, close to unity, which takes into account the magnetic field strength. For non-cooling flow clusters we find that the observed magnetic field values can reduce the SZ signal by ∼10% with respect to the value estimated from X-ray observations and the β-model. If a cluster harbours a cooling flow, magnetic fields tend to weaken the cooling flow influence on the SZ-effect.     

Thermally driven escape from Pluto’s atmosphere: A combined fluid/kinetic model

A combined fluid/kinetic model is developed to calculate thermally driven escape of N₂ from Pluto’s atmosphere for two solar heating conditions: no heating above 1450 km and solar minimum heating conditions. In the combined model, one-dimensional fluid equations are applied for the dense part of the atmosphere, while the exobase region is described by a kinetic model and calculated by the direct simulation Monte Carlo method. Fluid and kinetic parts of the model are iteratively solved in order to maintain constant total mass and energy fluxes through the simulation region. Although the atmosphere was found to be highly extended, with an exobase altitude at ～6000 km at solar minimum, the outflow remained subsonic and the escape rate was within a factor of two of the Jeans rate for the exobase temperatures determined. This picture is drastically different from recent predictions obtained solely using a fluid model which, in itself, requires assumptions about atmospheric density, flow velocity and energy flux carried away by escaping molecules at infinity. Gas temperature, density, velocity and heat flux versus radial distance are consistent between the hydrodynamic and kinetic model up to the exobase, only when the energy flux across the lower boundary and escape rate used to solve the hydrodynamic equations is obtained from the kinetic model. This limits the applicability of fluid models to atmospheric escape problems. Finally, the recent discovery of CO at high altitudes, the effect of Charon and the conditions at the New Horizon encounter are briefly considered.     

Enigmatic aspects of the early universe: possibility of a ‘pre-big bang phase’!

In this paper it is suggested that inclusion of mutual gravitational interactions among the particles in the early dense universe can lead to a ‘pre-big bang’ scenario, with particle masses greater than the Planck mass implying an accelerating phase of the universe, which then goes into the radiation phase when the masses fall below the Planck mass. The existence of towers of states of such massive particles (i.e. multiples of Planck mass) as implied in various unified theories, provides rapid acceleration in the early universe, similar to the usual inflation scenario, but here the expansion rate goes over ‘smoothly’ to the radiation dominated universe when temperature becomes lower than the Planck temperature.     

A physical explanation of solar microwave Zebra pattern with the current-carrying plasma loop model

The microwave Zebra pattern structure is an intriguing fine structure on the dynamic spectra of solar type IV radio bursts. Up to now, there is no perfect physical model for the origin of the solar microwave Zebra pattern. Recently, Ledenev et al. (Sol. Phys. 233:129, 2006) put forward an interference mechanism to explain the features of microwave Zebra patterns in solar continuum events. This model needs a structure with a multitude of discrete narrow-band sources of small size. Based on the model of a current-carrying plasma loop and the theory of tearing-mode instability, we propose that the above structure does exist and may provide the main conditions for the interference mechanism. With this model, we may explain the frequency upper limit, the formation of the parallel and equidistant stripes, the superfine structure and intermediate frequency drift rate of the Zebra stripes. If this explanation is valid, the Zebra pattern structures can reveal some information of the motion and the inner structures of the coronal plasma loops.