Steady state equilibrium condition of npe~± gas and its application to astrophysics

The steady equilibrium conditions for a mixed gas of neutrons, protons, electrons, positrons and radiation fields (abbreviated as npe± gas) with or without external neutrino flux are investigated, and a general chemical potential equilibrium equation μn = μp + Cμe is obtained to describe the steady equilibrium at high temperatures (T > 109 K). An analytic fitting formula of coefficient C is presented for the sake of simplicity, when neutrinos and antineutrinos are transparent. It is a simple method to estim...     

Using intense lasers to simulate aspects of accretion discs and outflows in astrophysics

It is shown that some aspects of the accretion disc physics can be experimentally simulated with the use of an array of properly directed plasma jets created by intense laser beams. For the laser energy of 1 to 3 kJ, one can create a quasi-planar disc with the Reynolds number exceeding 10⁴ and magnetic Reynolds number in the range of 10–100. The way of seeding the disc with the magnetic field by using a cusp magnetic configuration is described.     

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.     

Can the ten-dimensional phase prior to Calabi-Yau splitting of the super-string phase generate the primordial entropy of the universe?

It is shown that the primordial entropy of the universe can be generated in the residual phase prior to Calabi-Yau splitting and following the passing to the field theory limit of the heterotic super-string in ten space-time dimensions, wherein matter is represented by either a radiative equation of state or the equation of state for stiff matter.     

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.     

Carbon — From Space to Laboratory

In this review, the nature of carbon-containing molecules and carbonaceous solids present in meteorites, comets, and the interstellar medium is discussed. Carbon plays an active role in the lifecycle of stars and the interstellar medium. It is the basis of a rich interstellar chemistry and the main component of pre-biotic organic material in space. The aim of the review is to build a bridge between astronomical spectroscopy and laboratory studies relevant to the investigation of cosmic carbon. Special emphasis is given to the structural variety of carbon-containing species and their characterization by experimental techniques. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Characteristic actions ħ(s) in the structure of the universe

It is suggested that gravitationally bound systems in the Universe can be characterized by a set of actions ?^(s). The actions $$\hbar ^{\left( s \right)} = \left( {{\hbar \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {\hbar {\frac{1}{{2\pi }}\frac{{C^5 }}{{GH_0^2 }}}}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {\frac{1}{{2\pi }}\frac{{C^5 }}{{GH_0^2 }}}}} \right)^{s/6} \left( {\frac{1}{{2\pi }}\frac{{C^5 }}{{GH_0^2 }}} \right)$$ ,derived from general theoretical consideration, are only determined by the fundamental physical constants (Planck's action ?, the velocity of lightC, gravitational constantG, and Hubble's constantH ₀) and a scale parameters. It is shown thats=1, 2, and 3 correspond, respectively, to the scales of galaxies, stars, and larger asteroids. The spectra of the characteristic angular momenta and masses for gravitationally bound systems in the Universe are estimated byJ ^(s) andM ^(s) =(? ^(s) Cα/G)^1/2. Taken together, an angular momentum-mass relation is obtained,J ^(s)=A(M^(s))², where \(A = G/C\alpha ,{\text{ }}\alpha \simeq \tfrac{{\text{1}}}{{{\text{137}}}}\) , for the astronomical systems observed on every scale. ThisJ-M relation is consistent with Brosche's empirical relation (Brosche, 1974).     

Bayesian model-independent evaluation of expansion rates of the universe

Marginal likelihoods for the cosmic expansion rates are evaluated using the ‘Constitution’ data of 397 supernovas, thereby updating the results in some previous works. Even when beginning with a very strong prior probability that favors an accelerated expansion, we obtain a marginal likelihood for the deceleration parameter q ₀ peaked around zero in the spatially flat case. It is also found that the new data significantly constrains the cosmographic expansion rates, when compared to the previous analyses. These results may strongly depend on the Gaussian prior probability distribution chosen for the Hubble parameter represented by h, with h=0.68±0.06. This and similar priors for other expansion rates were deduced from previous data. Here again we perform the Bayesian model-independent analysis in which the scale factor is expanded into a Taylor series in time about the present epoch. Unlike such Taylor expansions in terms of redshift, this approach has no convergence problem.     

How to Build the Engine of and to Provide the Fuel for Quasars

1　IntroductionDuringthelasttwodecadesdynamicalstudiesofthenucleiofgalaxiesinthelocalUniversehaveleadtotheconclusionthatsuper massiveblackholesofsome 1 0 6 ...9M⊙arecommonlypresent(Kormendy 2 0 0 1 ,andreferencestherein) .Actually,nofirmcounterexamplehasbeenfoundyet.Soonafteritsdiscovery,thequasarphenomenonwasattributedtoaccretionontosuper massiveblackholes.Accretionratesof 1 0 - 1...+1M⊙ a- 1andblackholemassesoftypically 1 0 8...11M⊙(Lynden Bell1 969)wereinferred .Inthiscontribution ,w…     

A model of the late universe with viscous Zel’ldovich fluid and decaying vacuum

Many have speculated about the presence of a stiff fluid in very early stage of the universe. Such a stiff fluid was first introduced by Zel’dovich. Recently the late acceleration of the universe was studied by taking bulk viscous stiff fluid as the dominant cosmic component, but the age predicted by such a model is less than the observed value. We consider a flat universe with viscous stiff fluid and decaying vacuum energy as the cosmic components and found that the model predicts a reasonable background evolution of the universe with de Sitter epoch as end phase of expansion. More over, the model also predicts a reasonable value for the age of the present universe. We also performed a dynamical system analysis of the model and found that the end de Sitter phase predicted by the model is stable.     

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.     

GETEMME—a mission to explore the Martian satellites and the fundamentals of solar system physics

GETEMME (Gravity, Einstein??s Theory, and Exploration of the Martian Moons?? Environment), a mission which is being proposed in ESA??s Cosmic Vision program, shall be launched for Mars on a Soyuz Fregat in 2020. The spacecraft will initially rendezvous with Phobos and Deimos in order to carry out a comprehensive mapping and characterization of the two satellites and to deploy passive Laser retro-reflectors on their surfaces. In the second stage of the mission, the spacecraft will be transferred into a lower 1500-km Mars orbit, to carry out routine Laser range measurements to the reflectors on Phobos and Deimos. Also, asynchronous two-way Laser ranging measurements between the spacecraft and stations of the ILRS (International Laser Ranging Service) on Earth are foreseen. An onboard accelerometer will ensure a high accuracy for the spacecraft orbit determination. The inversion of all range and accelerometer data will allow us to determine or improve dramatically on a host of dynamic parameters of the Martian satellite system. From the complex motion and rotation of Phobos and Deimos we will obtain clues on internal structures and the origins of the satellites. Also, crucial data on the time-varying gravity field of Mars related to climate variation and internal structure will be obtained. Ranging measurements will also be essential to improve on several parameters in fundamental physics, such as the Post-Newtonian parameter ?? as well as time-rate changes of the gravitational constant and the Lense-Thirring effect. Measurements by GETEMME will firmly embed Mars and its satellites into the Solar System reference frame.     

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.     

The red shift hypothesis for quasars: Is the earth the center of the universe?

It is shown that the cosmological interpretation of the red shift in the spectra of quasars leads to yet another paradoxical result: namely, that the Earth is the center of the Universe. Consequences of this result are examined.Einstein distinguishes between two main criteria [for a good theory]: (a) theexternal confirmation of a theory, which informs us in experimental checks of the correctness of the theory, and (b) theinner perfection of a theory which judges its logical simplicity or naturalness.     

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.     

Do we live in the universe successively dominated by matter and antimatter?

We wonder if a cyclic universe may be dominated alternatively by matter and antimatter. Such a scenario demands a mechanism for transformation of matter to antimatter (or antimatter to matter) during the final stage of a big crunch. By giving an example, we have shown that in principle such a mechanism is possible. Our mechanism is based on a hypothetical repulsion between matter and antimatter, existing at least deep inside the horizon of a black hole. When universe is reduced to a supermassive black hole of a small size, a very strong field of the conjectured force might create (through a Schwinger type mechanism) particle-antiparticle pairs from the quantum vacuum. The amount of antimatter created from the vacuum is equal to the decrease of mass of the black hole and violently repelled from it. When the size of the black hole is sufficiently small, the creation of antimatter may become so fast, that matter of our Universe might be transformed to antimatter in a fraction of second. Such a fast conversion of matter into antimatter may look as a Big Bang. Our mechanism prevents a singularity; a new cycle might start with an initial size more than 30 orders of magnitude greater than the Planck length, suggesting that there is no need for inflationary scenario in Cosmology. In addition, there is no need to invoke CP violation for explanation of matter-antimatter asymmetry. Simply, our present day Universe is dominated by matter, because the previous universe was dominated by antimatter.     

Three-body problem — From Newton to supercomputer plus machine learning

The famous three-body problem can be traced back to Newton in 1687, but quite few families of periodic orbits were found in 300 years thereafter. In this paper, we propose an effective approach and roadmap to numerically gain planar periodic orbits of three-body systems with arbitrary masses by means of machine learning based on an artificial neural network (ANN) model. Given any a known periodic orbit as a starting point, this approach can provide more and more periodic orbits (of the same family name) with variable masses, while the mass domain having periodic orbits becomes larger and larger, and the ANN model becomes wiser and wiser. Finally we have an ANN model trained by means of all obtained periodic orbits of the same family, which provides a convenient way to give accurate enough predictions of periodic orbits with arbitrary masses for physicists and astronomers. It suggests that the high-performance computer and artificial intelligence (including machine learning) should be the key to gain periodic orbits of the famous three-body problem.     

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.