Cosmological deductions from the relativistic stability of clusters of galaxies

Clusters of galaxies are approximated by the Schwarzschild interior solution (with non-zero cosmological constant) embedded in a Robertson/Walker background. The conditions that the two metrics join up smoothly and that the cluster be stable imply either (a)k=?1 with Λ lying in the range ?1.1×10^?27?Λ?1.5×10^?36 (s^?2), or (b)k=0. Also, superclustering on a scale larger than 0.5 Mpc is unacceptable unless Λ<0.     

Inhomogeneous gravity

We study the inhomogeneous cosmological evolution of the Newtonian gravitational 'constant' G in the framework of scalar–tensor theories. We investigate the differences that arise between the evolution of G in the background universes and in local inhomogeneities that have separated out from the global expansion. Exact inhomogeneous solutions are found which describe the effects of masses embedded in an expanding Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) Brans–Dicke universe. These are used to discuss possible spatial variations of G in different regions. We develop the technique of matching different scalar–tensor cosmologies of different spatial curvature at a boundary. This provides a model for the linear and non-linear evolution of spherical overdensities and inhomogeneities in G . This allows us to compare the evolution of G and     that occurs inside a collapsing overdense cluster with that in the background universe. We develop a simple virialization criterion and apply the method to a realistic ΛCDM cosmology containing spherical overdensities. Typically, far slower evolution of     will be found in the bound virialized cluster than in the cosmological background. We consider the behaviour that occurs in Brans–Dicke theory and in some other representative scalar–tensor theories.     

Does the gravitational “constant” increase?

The possibility that the gravitational coupling constantG is an increasing function of the cosmic timet is discussed.In Section 1 the Maximal Power Hypothesis (MPH) stating that no power in Nature can exceed the upper boundc ⁵/G (Gunn's luminosity) is advocated.In Sections 2, 3, and 4 the MPH is employed on the cosmological scale to support the idea of an increasingG. In Section 2 the increasingG is obtained by two assumptions - the MPH and the energy conservation law - and by nothing else.In Section 3 the increasingG follows naturally from the MPH in the Einstein-Cartan theory of gravity. The arguments proposed in Sections 2 and 3 lead todG(t)/dt > 0 but cannot specify the form ofG(t). In Section 4 the MPH is applied to the energy of the vacuum and leads to a relation betweenG and the cosmological term,G S ³, valid in a matter-dominated universe (S =S(t) is the expansion factor). This relation plus the time-dependence law (suggested by many authors) t ² = constant, plustH > 2/3 (suggested by observations on the age of globular clusters;H is the Hubble parameter) implies an increasingG. One finds also GU, whereU is the mass density of the universe, in agreement with other studies.     

On the dissipation rates for Alfvén waves in the solar transition region

The present paper concerns Alfvén waves, in a resistive and viscous atmosphere, under a steep temperature gradient (Section 1). The dissipative Alfvén wave equation is deduced assuming uniform vertical background magnetic field, and allowing for arbitrary profiles of Alfvén speed, and viscous and resistive diffusivities as functions of altitude (Section 2). A three-parameter family of temperature profiles, allowing for independent choice of initial and asymptotic temperature, and of initial temperature gradient, is used to re-write the wave equation, with the temperature as the independent variable, instead of altitude (Section 3). It is shown that, for the conditions prevailing in the solar transition region between the chromosphere and corona, two approximations of the dissipative wave equations may be considered, the simplest leading to solution in terms of Gaussian hypergeometric functions (Section 4). The exact analytical solution allows calculation of the (i) velocity and (ii) magnetic field perturbations, (iii) kinetic, (iv) magnetic and (v) total energy density, (vi) energy flux, (vii) rate-of-strain and (viii) electric current, and (ix) viscous, (x) resistive and (xi) total rate of dissipation (Section 5). These are plotted versus temperature, across the transition region from the chromosphere to the corona, for the quiet and active Sun (Section 6). The feasibility of heating of the transition region by dissipation of Alfvén waves is discussed (Section 7), by comparing empirical heating rates, with theoretical values for a range of physical conditions, including initial velocity perturbations 5 to 15 km s ^–1, background magnetic field 12 to 120 G, wave periods 60 to 300 s, thickness of the transition region 100 to 300 km, resistive and anomalous diffusivities to 100 and viscous and turbulent diffusivities to 100 . The conclusion is that dissipation of Alfvén waves is not an effective heating mechanism for the transition region and corona, although it may be for the chromosphere (see Campos and Mendes, 1995, and references therein).     

An analysis of the derivation of Friedmann's Equation

In the introductive section a deeper specification is made of the physical meaning of the terms in the Friedmann Equation (FE). After that, assuming validity of Mach's Principle, it is deduced (Section 2) that the FE for the radiation-dominated phase of the evolution of the Universe (which is considered to be closed) is valid even for the matter-dominated era. On the other hand, such a form of the FE is shown to be irrelevant when used for deducing how the frequency of the 3K-photons depends on the radius of the Universe. The solution of the dilemma turns out to have its roots in the way in which the relativistic gravitational potentials are composed, together with the fact that the cosmic potential of the closed Universe is equal to –1. Consequently, the equation one uses for the matter-dominated era is shown to be proper for both the main phases of the cosmological evolution (Section 3). In Section 4, the deduction of the critical density-value is revised, and the new result shortly discussed. In Section 5 it is concluded that there is only one possible value for the maximum radius of our Universe, specific for the initial condition due to the FE. Nevertheless, it is not excluded that other smaller universes can exist. In the final section a modified soabubble analogy with the first law of thermodynamics is used to describe the dynamics of the cosmological expansion, and, in this context, the importance of Mach's Principle is pointed out.     

Age distribution of open clusters as a function of their linear diameter and age-dependence of cluster masses

From the well-observed data of star clusters, the age distribution of galactic clusters is obtianed as a function of their linear diameter and it is concluded that the observed age distribution of clusters for different linear diameter intervals within 1500 pc, is not seriously affected by the selection effects. If we assume that the rate of formation of clusters is constant, the lifetimes _1/2 of the clusters for different linear diameter intervals have been obtained and it is found that the clusters with a linear diameter in the range 0–1.9 pc have longer lifetimes than the clusters having linear diameters larger than 2.0 pc.Total masses of 57 clusters have been obtained using the catalogues of Piskunov (1983) and Myakutinet al. (1984). A study of age-dependence of cluster masses, based on the total masses of the clusters obtained in the present study and the cluster masses given by Bruch and Sanders (1983) and Lynga (1983b), shows that there is a decreasing trend in the total mass with the age, however, there is an increasing trend after the age of about 10⁸ yr. It is also concluded that the initial rate of formation of rich clusters was relatively higher than the present rate of formation.     

The formation of a bound star cluster: from the Orion nebula cluster to the Pleiades

Direct N -body calculations are presented of the formation of Galactic clusters using GasEx , which is a variant of the code Nbody6 . The calculations focus on the possible evolution of the Orion nebula cluster (ONC) by assuming that the embedded OB stars explosively drove out 2/3 of its mass in the form of gas about 0.4 Myr ago. A bound cluster forms readily and survives for 150 Myr despite additional mass loss from the large number of massive stars, and the Galactic tidal field. This is the very first time that cluster formation is obtained under such realistic conditions. The cluster contains about 1/3 of the initial 10⁴ stars, and resembles the Pleiades cluster to a remarkable degree, implying that an ONC-like cluster may have been a precursor of the Pleiades. This scenario predicts the present expansion velocity of the ONC, which will be measurable by upcoming astrometric space missions. These missions should also detect the original Pleiades members as an associated expanding young Galactic-field subpopulation. The results arrived at here suggest that Galactic clusters form as the nuclei of expanding OB associations.
The results have wide implications, also for the formation of globular clusters and the Galactic-field and halo stellar populations. In view of this, the distribution of binary orbital periods and the mass function within and outside the model ONC and Pleiades is quantified, finding consistency with observational constraints. Advanced mass segregation is evident in one of the ONC models. The calculations show that the primordial binary population of both clusters could have been much the same as is observed in the Taurus–Auriga star-forming region. The computations also demonstrate that the binary proportion of brown dwarfs is depleted significantly for all periods, whereas massive stars attain a high binary fraction.     

Dynamical effects of dark matter in systems of galaxies

SeveralN-body experiments were performed in order to simulate the dynamical behaviour of systems of galaxies gravitationally dominated by a massive dark background.We discuss mass estimates from the dynamics of the luminous component (M _VT) under the influence of such a background, assuming a constant dark/luminous mass ratio (M _D/M _L) and plausible physical conditions. We extend in this way previous studies (Smith, 1980, 1984) about the dependence ofM _VT on the relative distributions of dark and luminous matter (Limber, 1959). We found that the observed ratio of the virial theorem mass to luminosity (M _VT/L) in systems of galaxies of different sizes could be the result of different stages of their post-virialisation evolution as was previously suggested by White and Rees (1978) and Barnes (1983). This evolution is mainly the result of the dynamical friction that dark matter exerts on the luminous component. Thus our results give support to the idea that compact groups of galaxies are dynamically more evolved than large clusters, which is expected from the hierarchical clustering picture for the formation of such structures.     

Clusters of galaxies compared withN-body simulations: Masses and mass segregation

With three virially stableN-body simulations of Wielen, we show that use of the expression for the total mass derived from averaged quantities (velocity dispersion and mean harmonic radius) yields an overestimate of the mass by as much as a factor of 2–3, and use of the heaviest mass sample gives an underestimate by a factor of 2–3. The estimate of the mass using mass weighted quantities (i.e., derived from the customary definition of kinetic and potential energies) yields a better value irrespective of mass sample as applied to late time intervals of the models (three two-body relaxation times). The uncertainty is at most 50%. This suggests that it is better to employ the mass weighted expression for the mass when determining cluster masses. The virial ratio, which is a ratio of the mass weighted/averaged expression for the potential energy, is found to vary between 1 and 2. We conclude that ratios for observed clusters 4–10 cannot be explained even by the imprecision of the expression for the mass using averaged quantities, and certainly implies the presence of unseen matter. Total masses via customary application of the virial theorem are calculated for 39 clusters, and total masses for 12 clusters are calculated by a variant of the usual application. The distribution of cluster masses is also presented and briefly discussed. Mass segregation in Wielen's models is studied in terms of the binding energy per unit mass of the heavy sample compared with the light sample. The general absence of mass segregation in relaxed clusters and the large virial discrepancies are attributed to a population of many low-mass objects that may constitute the bulk mass of clusters of galaxies.     

Fragmentation of Cosmic Objects in the Course of Their Evolution and the Possible Role of Hubble Expansion in this Process

A series of phenomenological similarities between activity phenomena in the microscopic world and in the world of galaxies is examined. Proceeding from the high metallicity of quasars, it is shown that the relative amount of light elements, primarily hydrogen, increases during the evolution of the universe. Evidence supporting an analogous enrichment of the world of galaxies by dwarf galaxies is presented. A variant is proposed in which cD galaxies are the generators of the clusters of galaxies in which they are located, while all the galaxies of a given cluster are products of the activity of a central supergiant galaxy. An analogous mechanism is apparently responsible for the formation of systems of globular clusters. A physical connection between activity phenomena and cosmic expansion is sought.     

Galaxy clusters as relativistic spherically-symmetrical inhomogeneities

Spherically symmetric exact solutions of the Einstein equations in the absence of pressure are used to construct a dynamical model for the clusters of galaxies, embedded in a parabolic Universe. Radial motions only are responsible for velocity dispersion. The density profile, which shows a secondary maximum, and the variation of the velocity dispersion versus the distance from the cluster centre, are in qualitative agreement with the observations. The problem of the missing mass is also partially overcome.Work supported by the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche.     

Accretion and electrostatic interaction of interstellar dust grains; Interstellar grit

This work is divided into 13 sections and 2 appendices, and aims to elucidate the accretion mechanism, which operates via image-theory forces, whenever two interstellar dust grains come close together. Section 1 is an introduction. Section 2 proposes that the distribution of interstellar grains be taken asn(r) r ^–4 to avoid distortion of the 3K microwave background by radiation from spinning grains. Section 3 examines each of three types of image force accretion processes, finding them to be dominant compared to radiation or gravitational forces by at least a factor of 10¹⁹. Section 4 states that only grains made of conducting material (e.g., graphite, ice, iron) are involved in image theory. Section 5 presents reasons for believing that two grains should coalesce on impact. Section 6 examines the motion of charged interstellar grains in Hi and Hii regions. Section 7 demonstrates, by way of four examples involving dust grains ofr=10^–7 cm up tor=10^–4 cm, that the image effects on conducting grains are not trivial, and that the dynamics involved is not to be compared at all with elementary Coulomb interaction of two changes. Section 8 concludes that accretion with not take place in Hi clouds if thermal (equipartition) velocities prevail among the dust particles. section 9 examines grain interactions in Hii regions: here, following an argument due to Spitzer, consideration is given to the case of a population of dust grains all streaming in the direction of the local magnetic field B at velocities of order 0.1 km s^–1. It is shown that accretion takes place effectively, leading to the formation of interstellar grit, meaning grains of mass 10^–8 to 10^–7 gm, radius 0.1 mm; and leaving also a population ofr10^–6 cm grains, which are observed in polarization and extinction measurements. The existence of the latter is now a deduction and not an ad hoc postulate, as previously, and implies a distribution of the general formn(r) r _mean ^–3 , in approximate agreement with that of Section 2. Section 10 considers the accretion mechanism as a cascade process. Section 11 shows that the existence of grains in space ofr 10^–6 cm rules out an origin in supernova or galactic explosions, and supports a passive origin, perhaps in red giants or Mira variables. Section 12 discusses the implications of the results found for polarization observations and cosmogony, the latter being given a new foundation in which planets of different composition form automatically from a solar nebula. Section 13 is a conclusion.     

On the origin of the compact H ii regions around massive stellar clusters

The existence of compact H?ii regions around massive stellar clusters with ages exceeding several Myr challenges our understanding of the physical processes occurring inside such clusters, and their impact on the interstellar medium of the host galaxy. Here, we summarize our recent results dealing with the hydrodynamics of matter ejected by massive stars inside the cluster and show that compact H?ii regions found around some massive clusters may indicate that these are evolving in a bimodal hydrodynamic regime. The latter is characterized by the accumulation of the injected matter in the central, thermally unstable zone, and by the ejection of mass supplied by massive stars in the outer regions of the cluster.     

Test computations on the dynamical evolution of star clusters

Test calculations have been carried out on the evolution of star clusters using the fluiddynamical method devised by Larson (1970a). Large systems of stars have been considered with specific concern with globular clusters. With reference to the analogous standard model by Larson, the influence of varying in turn the various free parameters (cluster mass, star mass, tidal radius, mass concentration of the initial model) has been studied for the results. Furthermore, the partial release of some simplifying assumptions with regard to the relaxation time and distribution of the target stars has been considered. The change of the structural properties is discussed, and the variation of the evolutionary time scale is outlined. An indicative agreement of the results obtained here with structural properties of globular clusters as deduced from previous theoretical models is pointed out.     

Radiative energy transfer in extended photospheres of the components of close binary systems

The aim of the present paper will be to set up, and solve, the equations governing transfer of radiation in semi-transparent envelopes of the stars; and, in order to do so, to employ a system of curvilinear (non-orthogonal) three-dimensional coordinates in which the radial coordinate has been identified with equipotential surfaces. Such coordinates are particularly suitable to a treatment of the problems arising in close binary systems, which render the outcome more than any other amenable to observable tests, but which has so far received but very scant attention.The introductory section of this paper will contain a statement of the problem; and its mathematical formulation in terms of Clairaut coordinates (cf. Kopal, 1980, 1989, Chapter V) will be outlined in Section 2; their methods in Section 3. Section 4 will then contain an application to the problem of distribution of surface brightness (limb-darkening) over the apparent discs of distorted components of close binary systems; while in Section 5 we shall do the same for radiative flux of distorted stars as a function of the phase (gravity darkening).The concluding Section 6 will then contain an outline of additional problems arising in this connection, to which we shall turn in successive parts of this series.     

The galactic distribution of globular clusters

The spatial distribution of galactic globular clusters has been studied by means of Walsh-Hadamard transforms. Consistent indications have been collected suggesting the existence, at least in a first approximation, of two disting populations of clusters — the metal poor clusters showing a spherical distribution whereas metal rich clusters are flattened along the disk.Simulated cluster-halos have been computed in order to study the dependence of observed radial velocities on the eccentricity of cluster orbits, showing that only a general high value of eccentricity seems able to reproduce the observational features.     

Quasars in Regions of Rich Clusters of Galaxies

Certain characteristics of quasars observed in the regions of three rich clusters of galaxies are investigated. It is shown that the luminosity functions constructed for samples of quasars from the regions of the Virgo and Fornax clusters are similar to each other and show a very sharp maximum at a stellar magnitude of 18^m.0-18^m.3. The maximum of the luminosity function for quasars from the region of the Coma cluster (A 1656) is shifted toward fainter magnitudes and lies at 21^m. This effect is explained by the affiliation of the majority of the quasars to the respective clusters. It is shown that the absolute stellar magnitude of these quasars is –13^m, which corresponds to the luminosity of dwarf galaxies of low luminosity. It is suggested that the local quasars are formed in two ways: by ejection from galactic nuclei and in quasar associations without a parent galaxy, directly from protostellar matter.     

Embedded star clusters and the formation of the Oort Cloud

Observations suggest most stars originate in clusters embedded in giant molecular clouds [Lada, C.J., Lada, E.A., 2003. Annu. Rev. Astron. Astrophys. 41, 57-115]. Our Solar System likely spent 1-5 Myrs in such regions just after it formed. Thus the Oort Cloud (OC) possibly retains evidence of the Sun's early dynamical history and of the stellar and tidal influence of the cluster. Indeed, the newly found objects (90377) Sedna and 2000 CR₁₀₅ may have been put on their present orbits by such processes [Morbidelli, A., Levison, H.F., 2004. Astron. J. 128, 2564-2576]. Results are presented here of numerical simulations of the orbital evolution of comets subject to the influence of the Sun, Jupiter and Saturn (with their current masses on orbits appropriate to the period before the Late Heavy Bombardment (LHB) [Tsiganis, K., Gomes, R., Morbidelli, A., Levison, H.F., 2005. Nature 435, 459-461]), passing stars and tidal force associated with the gas and stars of an embedded star cluster. The cluster was taken to be a Plummer model with 200-400 stars, with a range of initial central densities. The Sun's orbit was integrated in the cluster potential together with Jupiter and Saturn and the test particles. Stellar encounters were incorporated by directly integrating the effects of stars passing within a sphere centred on the Sun of radius equal to the Plummer radius for low-density clusters and half a Plummer radius for high-density clusters. The gravitational influence of the gas was modeled using the tidal force of the cluster potential. For a given solar orbit, the mean density, 〈ρ〉, was computed by orbit-averaging the density of material encountered. This parameter proved to be a good measure for predicting the properties of the OC. On average 2-18% of our initial sample of comets end up in the OC after 1-3 Myr. A comet is defined to be part of the OC if it is bound and has q>35 AU. Our models show that the median distance of an object in the OC scales approximately as 〈ρ〉^−1/2 when . Our models easily produce objects on orbits like that of (90377) Sedna [Brown, M.E., Trujillo, C., Rabinowitz, D., 2004. Astrophys. J. 617, 645-649] within ∼1 Myr in cases where the mean density is or higher; one needs mean densities of order to create objects like 2000 CR₁₀₅ by this mechanism, which are reasonable (see, e.g., Guthermuth, R.A., Megeath, S.T., Pipher, J.L., Williams, J.P., Allen, L.E., Myers, P.C., Raines, S.N., 2005. Astrophys. J. 632, 397-420). Thus the latter object may also be part of the OC. Close stellar passages can stir the primordial Kuiper Belt to sufficiently high eccentricities (e?0.05; Kenyon, S.J., Bromley, B.C., 2002. Astron. J. 123, 1757-1775) that collisions become destructive. From the simulations performed it is determined that there is a 50% or better chance to stir the primordial Kuiper Belt to eccentricities e?0.05 at 50 AU when . The orbit of the new object 2003 UB₃₁₃ [Brown, M.E., Trujillo, C.A., Rabinowitz, D.L., 2005. Astrophys. J. 635, L97-L100] is only reproduced for mean cluster densities of the order of , but in the simulations it could not come to be on its current orbit by this mechanism without disrupting the formation of bodies in the primordial Kuiper Belt down to 20 AU. It is therefore improbable that the latter object is created by this mechanism.     

Relativistic hierarchical cosmology

While Euclidean models with uniform matter density have a number of radio sources of flux density greater thanF at frequencyv that varies asN(>F, v)¹ F ^–3/2, hierarchical models with = ₀ r ^–2 haveN(>F,)F ^–1/2 (Section 1). Since the observed dependency isN(>F,)F ^–1.8, severe density and/or luminosity evolution must be present in a workable hierarchical cosmology (Section 2). The same argument applies (Section 3) to the number of sources of apparent luminosity greater thanl,N(>l) and (Section 4) to the number of sources within redshift distancez from the local origin. To give agreement with empirical data demandsq _o=+1 and large first and second derivatives with respect to time of the number source density (Section 5). The adoption ofq _o=+1 allows one to show (Section 6) that a Lemaitre-type hierarchical Universe with a long coasting or waiting time can give agreement with observations of the numbers of QSO's etc. if the age of the Universe is more than 10¹³ yr. The dependence of the effective Hubble parameter onk(t), (t) andR (Section 7) leads one to suggest that ak=0, =0 hierarchy with 0 might be the simplest acceptable form of model Universe. Section 8 (Conclusion) points out that further data on source count anisotropies should allow the component levels of the hierarchy to be delineated.