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The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission, scheduled for launch in the mid-2030s, is a gravitational wave space observatory designed to detect sources emitting in the millihertz band. LISA is an European Space Agency flagship mission, currently entering the Phase-B development phase. It is expected to help us improve our understanding of our Universe by measuring gravitational wave sources of different types, with some of the sources being at very high redshifts (z ∼ 2 0). On February 23, 2022, we organized the first LISA in Greece Workshop. This Workshop aimed to inform the Greek scientific and tech industry communities about the possibilities of participating in LISA science and the LISA mission, with the support of the Hellenic Space Center. In this White Paper, we summarize the outcomes of the Workshop, the most important aspect of it being the inclusion of 1 5 Greek researchers to the LISA Consortium, raising our total number to 2 2. At the same time, we present a road map with the future steps and actions of the Greek Gravitational Wave community with respect to the LISA mission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document is a response to a paper by Gruber, Block, and Montemayor (GBM) on the topic of time. The author admires GBM's inventive experiments but raises concerns about the philosophical foundations of their ideas. They discuss the use of James Hartle's IGUS model to incorporate subjective experience of time within a 4D Minkowski spacetime framework. The author suggests that thinking in terms of second-order cybernetics and considering a wider range of features could help address the problem GBM is discussing. They also question the assumption that our theories of physics and cosmology can provide a straightforward temporal worldview. The author proposes a dual-aspect monist view, where both subjective and objective time arise from a deeper structure. They believe that the resolution to GBM's problem lies in this deeper domain. [Extracted from the article]

The existence of neutron stars was suggested soon after the discovery of such particles, and it soon became clear that Newtonian physics was innapropriate to study such stars. The problem was initially addressed by Richard C. Tolman, whose results were used by J. Robert Oppenheimer and George M. Volkoff for the deduction of what is known as Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff (TOV) equation. This equation represents the hydrostatic equilibrium of a sphere of perfect fluid in the relativistic regime and, when combined with a suitable equation of state, yields a mathematical model for neutron stars. This paper presents the deduction of the TOV equation in a detailed and didactic way, since the treatment of Einstein's equations of general relativity (GR) until the application to the case where the star is made up of a Fermi gas of degenerate neutrons, whence we can deduce that there is a maximum mass possible for such objects. Although today we know that the Fermi gas model is by itself unsuitable in this case, the analysis is interesting from the historic and didactic viewpoint, once it consists in a fairly simple example of application of an equation of state to the calculations of the structure of neutron stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate a method for constructing spacetime diagrams for special relativity on graph paper that has been rotated by 45o. The diagonal grid lines represent light-flash worldlines in Minkowski spacetime, and the boxes in the grid (called "clock diamonds") represent units of measurement corresponding to the ticks of an inertial observer's light clock. We show that many quantitative results can be read off a spacetime diagram simply by counting boxes, with very little algebra. In particular, we show that the squared interval between two events is equal to the signed area of the parallelogram on the grid (called the "causal diamond") with opposite vertices corresponding to those events. We use the Doppler effect-without explicit use of the Doppler formula-to motivate the method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I analyse in detail the construction of asymptotic surfaces in Sections 16–19 of Poincaré (1890) , also known as the prize paper. There are two prime reasons for doing so. Firstly, this part of the prize paper contains an interesting argumentative strategy, which I call Poincaré ׳ s gestalt switch . Secondly, it has been claimed that the prize paper contains one of the first descriptions of chaotic motion. I will argue that the latter claim is false, although both the gestalt switches and the graphical representation which Poincaré (1890) chose for the asymptotic surfaces might well have provided the inspiration for later works in chaos theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In his groundbreaking 1905 paper on special relativity, Einstein distinguished between local and global time in inertial systems, introducing his famous definition of distant simultaneity to give physical content to the notion of global time. Over the following decade, Einstein attempted to generalize this analysis of relativistic time to include accelerated frames of reference, which, according to the principle of equivalence, should also account for time in the presence of gravity. Characteristically, Einstein's methodology during this period focused on simple, intuitively accessible physical situations, exhibiting a high degree of symmetry. However, in the final general theory of relativity, the a priori existence of such global symmetries cannot be assumed. Despite this, Einstein repeated some of his early reasoning patterns even in his 1916 review paper on general relativity and in later writings. Modern commentators have criticized these arguments as confused, invalid, and inconsistent. Here, we defend Einstein in the specific context of his use of global time and his derivations of the gravitational redshift formula. We argue that a detailed examination of Einstein's early work clarifies his later reasoning and demonstrates its consistency and validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is commonly accepted that superluminal travel may be used to facilitate time travel. This is a purely special-relativistic argument, using the fact that for observers in two frames of reference, separated by a spacelike interval, the non-causal (spacelike) future of one observer includes part of the causal past of the other. In this paper we provide a concrete realization of this argument in a curved general-relativistic spacetime, using warp drives as the means of faster-than-light travel. By generalizing the usual warp drive metric to allow for a non-unit lapse function, we allow the warp drive to switch between reference frames in a purely geometric way. With an additional modification allowing the warp drive to have compact support, this permits us to glue two warp drives together to construct a closed timelike geodesic, such that a test particle following the geodesics of the two warp drives travels back to its own past. This provides a precise mathematical model for the connection between faster-than-light travel and time travel in general relativity, and the first such model to be explicitly formulated using two warp drives. We also give a detailed discussion of weak energy condition violations in the non-unit-lapse warp drive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gravitational memory effects are predictions of general relativity that are characterized by an observable effect that persists after the passage of gravitational waves. In recent years, they have garnered particular interest, both due to their connection to asymptotic symmetries and soft theorems and because their observation would serve as a unique test of the nonlinear nature of general relativity. Apart from the more commonly known displacement and spin memories, however, there are other memory effects predicted by Einstein's equations that are associated with more subleading terms in the asymptotic expansion of the Bondi-Sachs metric. In this paper, we write explicit expressions for these higher memory effects in terms of their charge and flux contributions. Further, by using a numerical relativity simulation of a binary black hole merger, we compute the magnitude and morphology of these terms and compare them to those of the displacement and spin memory. We find that, although these terms are interesting from a theoretical perspective, due to their small magnitude they will be particularly challenging to observe with current and future detectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, I investigate the existence of the NUT charge through the KTN spacetime using shadow observations of Sgr A*. I report that the range of my constraint for the NUT charge is between −0.5 and 0.5 for Schwarzschild-like and very slowly rotating KTN black holes. This range extends to 1.5 for spins up to −2 and −1.5 for spins up to 2 based on Keck observations for both 40° and 10° viewing angles. For VLTI observations, Schwarzschild-like and very slowly rotating KTN black holes are excluded for a 40° viewing angle, and the NUT charge is constrained to a very narrow range for a 10° viewing angle. I report that the possibility of having KTN naked singularities in Sgr A* is small, considering the uncertainties in the shadow size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In relativity, the Newtonian concepts of velocity and acceleration are observer-dependent quantities that vary with the chosen frame of reference. It is well established that in the comoving frame, cosmic expansion is currently accelerating; however, in the rest frame, this expansion is actually decelerating. In this paper, we explore the implications of this distinction. The traditional measure of cosmic acceleration, denoted by q, is derived from the comoving frame and describes the acceleration of the scale factor a for a 3D space-like homogeneous sphere. We introduce a new parameter q E representing the acceleration experienced between observers within the light cone. By comparing q E to the traditional q using observational data from Type Ia supernovae (SN) and the radial clustering of galaxies and quasars (BAO)—including the latest results from DESI2024—our analysis demonstrates that q E aligns more closely with these data. The core argument of the paper is that Λ —regardless of its origin—creates an event horizon that divides the manifold into two causally disconnected regions analogous to conditions inside a black hole's interior, thereby allowing for a rest-frame perspective q E in which cosmic expansion appears to be decelerating and the horizon acts like a friction term. Such a horizon suggests that the universe cannot maintain homogeneity outside. The observed cosmological constant Λ can then be interpreted not as a driver of new dark energy or a modification of gravity but as a boundary term exerting an attractive force, akin to a rubber band, resisting further expansion and preventing event horizon crossings. This interpretation calls for a reconsideration of current cosmological models and the assumptions underlying them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Firstly, it is possible to consider a similar problem of admissible electromagnetic fields classification for the Dirac-Fock equation, since non-commutative integration is also applicable to this equation. This Special issue contains top-tier physics-related and mathematical research, among other topics, written by scholars who are well-known in their field. Second, the results can be used to obtain exact self-consistent solutions in the General Theory of Relativity, in the scalar-tensor theory of gravity, for the Vaidya problem, as well as in the integration of field equations in other gravitational theories. [Extracted from the article]

A recent JRASC paper (Brissenden 2020) demonstrated that a kinematic doppler interpretation of cosmological redshift can match Type 1a supernova measurements without expanding space or dark energy. Tis result is reviewed, and the omission of gravitational redshift, implications for general relativity, and the relevance of Milne cosmology are discussed. A new cosmological model is described where radius r replaces coordinate time-based ct. With this model, expansion of the Universe is associated with a kinematic increase in radius, and not the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker expanding space scale factor, a(t). A new metric tensor is proposed, to replace the FRW metric of standard cosmological theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document contains commentaries on two papers that examine the concept of time from different angles. The first paper argues against the Block Universe theory, which suggests a static reality, and proposes a multilayered concept of time instead. The second paper takes a pragmatic approach and suggests that the brain reflects the temporal parameters of its external environment. The commentaries raise questions about the nature of reality, the validity of physical theories, and the perception of time. The text explores different perspectives on the flow of time, including the idea that it is a perceptual construct and the belief that consciousness and time are interconnected. It also discusses the arrow of time, entropy, and different interpretations of the IGUS model. The authors suggest three areas for further exploration: clarifying definitions, recognizing the desire to attribute reality to subjective experiences, and incorporating falsifiability into the debate. [Extracted from the article]

Arthur Stanley Eddington (1882–1944) was one of the leading astrophysicists of the first half of the 20th century. He is remembered today chiefly for his research into stellar structure and general relativity, both of which he began to explore in the mid-1910s. He was also a key participant in the famous eclipse expeditions of 1919 that tested Einstein's theory of gravity. Rather than consider these topics, in this paper I will instead examine Eddington's early astronomical career, that is, from 1906 to about 1915. In this period, he became a well-trained practical astronomer. Eddington also established himself as a brilliant theoretical astronomer, and in so doing helped to create the role of theoretical astrophysicist through his research into star streaming. He was also, unusually for astronomers of this period, an enthusiastic advocate of the use of "working hypotheses" as crucial tools in astronomical practice. The study of Eddington's early career therefore has much to tell us about the nature of astronomy in the years around 1910 and about Eddington. The paper underlines, for example, the continuing relevance of the "Greenwich-Cambridge Axis" for the power structure of British astronomy, and the importance of the so-called Sidereal Problem for astronomers at this time even though today it is largely forgotten. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gravitational waves are being shown to derive directly from Newtonian dynamics for a continuous mass distribution, e.g. compressible fluids or equivalent. It is shown that the equations governing a continuous mass distribution, i.e. the inviscid Navier–Stokes equations for a general variable gravitational field g(t,x) , are equivalent to a form identical to the Maxwell equations from electromagnetism, subject to a specified condition. The consequence of this equivalence is the creation of gravity waves that propagate at a finite speed. The latter implies that Newtonian gravitation as presented in this paper is not 'spooky action at a distance' but rather is similar to electromagnetic waves propagating at finite speed, despite the apparent form appearing in the integrated field formula. In addition, this proves that, in analogy to the Maxwell equations, the Newtonian gravitation equations are Lorentz invariant for waves propagating at the speed of light. Since gravitational waves were so far derived only from Einstein's general relativity theory, it becomes appealing to check if there is a connection between the Newtonian waves presented in this paper and the general relativity type of waves at least in a certain limit of overlapping validity, i.e. as a flat-space approximation. The latter is left for follow-up research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial for a special issue of the journal AIMS Mathematics on "Mathematical Coding Theory and its Applications." The issue includes 8 papers that explore various aspects of coding theory, which involves techniques from commutative algebra, discrete mathematics, and the geometry of numbers. The papers cover topics such as codes over rings (including non-commutative and non-unitary rings), codes for alternative metrics, and codes as ideals in special rings. The issue also includes papers on codes over fields, including finite fields and number fields. The guest editor for the special issue is Professor Patrick Solé from the University of Aix-Marseille in France. [Extracted from the article]

Disk galaxies have a typical dimension of a few tens of kiloparsecs. It follows from the theory of general relativity that any signal originating from the galactic center will be noticed at the outskirts of the galaxy only tens of thousands of years later. This retardation effect, however, is absent in modelling used to calculate rotation curves throughout entire galaxies and their external gas. The considerable differences between Newtonian predictions and observed velocities are currently removed either by assuming dark matter or by suggesting various modifications to the laws of gravity, MOND being a long standing alternative to Newtonian gravity. In previous papers we have shown that by applying general relativity in a rigorous fashion, without neglecting retardation, one can explain the rotational velocities of galactic matter without modifying gravity or adding dark matter. Moreover, it was shown that dark matter effects, as they appear in gravitational lensing, the Tully-Fisher relation, and mass estimations based on the virial theorem could also be explained as retarded-gravity effects. It must be noted, however, that the proposed theory relies on the existence of a mass flow (of a changing rate) into the galaxy; a requirement that was not directly observed. In the original paper on the subject only one galaxy (M33) was analysed in detail. This was later amended with a published study of eleven galaxies. Here we give a more comprehensive retardation analysis of 143 galaxies of different types from the SPARC Galaxy collection. We show that in most cases we obtain very accurate fits to the data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is the fourth in a series dedicated to the mathematically rigorous asymptotic analysis of gravitational radiation under astrophysically realistic set-ups. It provides an overview of the physical ideas involved in setting up the mathematical problem, the mathematical challenges that need to be overcome once the problem is posed, as well as the main new results we will obtain in upcoming work. From the physical perspective, this includes a discussion of how post-Newtonian theory provides a prediction on the gravitational radiation emitted by N infalling masses from the infinite past in the intermediate zone, i.e. up to some finite advanced time. From the mathematical perspective, we then take this prediction, together with the condition that there be no incoming radiation from I− , as a starting point to set up a scattering problem for the linearized Einstein vacuum equations around Schwarzschild and near spacelike infinity, and we outline how to solve this scattering problem and obtain the asymptotic properties of the scattering solution near i0 and I+. The full mathematical details will be presented in the sequel to this paper. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'At the interface of asymptotics, conformal methods and analysis in general relativity'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The general theory of relativity predicts the relativistic effect in the orbital motions of S-stars which are orbiting around our Milky-way Galactic Center. The post-Newtonian or higher-order approximated Schwarzschild black hole models have been used by GRAVITY and UCLA Galactic Center groups to carefully investigate the S2 star's periastron precession. In this paper, we investigate the scalar field effect on the orbital dynamics of S2 star. Hence, we consider a spacetime, namely Janis-Newman-Winicour (JNW) spacetime which is seeded by a minimally coupled, mass-less scalar field. The novel feature of this spacetime is that one can retain the Schwarzschild spacetime from JNW spacetime considering zero scalar charge. We constrain the scalar charge of JNW spacetime by best fitting the astrometric data of S2 star using the Monte-Carlo–Markov-Chain (MCMC) technique assuming the charge to be positive. Our best-fitted result implies that similar to the Schwarzschild black hole spacetime, the JNW naked singularity spacetime with an appropriate scalar charge also offers a satisfactory fitting to the observed data for S2 star. Therefore, the JNW naked singularity could be a contender for explaining the nature of Sgr A* through the orbital motions of the S2 star. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The firewall transformation put forward by 't Hooft in recent years has made ambitious claims of solving the firewall problem and the black hole information paradox while maintaining unitary evolution. However, the theory has received limited attention from the community, especially in regards to its foundations in purely classical gravitational physics. This paper investigates the underlying assumptions of 't Hooft's firewall transformation before quantization. We find that the limiting procedure used by 't Hooft in order to obtain an identification of the quantum operators for ingoing and outgoing particles near a black hole is not consistent. We propose a correction, which involves a more relaxed approximation regime. In the new approximation regime, we find a new classical analog for the firewall transformation for spherical shells, which allows evolving the spherical shells' dynamics past their point of collision. In the classical theory, no firewall is removed, as both ingoing and outgoing matter is present on every spacelike hypersurface, and it does not appear that any firewalls will be removed after a canonical quantization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aggregative moral theories face a series of devastating problems when we apply them in a physically realistic setting. According to current physics, our universe is likely infinitely large, and will contain infinitely many morally valuable events. But standard aggregative theories are ill-equipped to compare outcomes containing infinite total value. So, applied in a realistic setting, they cannot compare any outcomes a real-world agent must ever choose between. This problem has been discussed extensively, and non-standard aggregative theories proposed to overcome it. This paper addresses a further problem of similar severity. Physics tells us that, in our universe, how remotely in time an event occurs is relative. But our most promising aggregative theories, designed to compare outcomes containing infinitely many valuable events, are sensitive to how remote in time those events are. As I show, the evaluations of those theories are then relative too. But this is absurd; evaluations of outcomes must be absolute! So we must reject such theories. Is this objection fatal for all aggregative theories, at least in a relativistic universe like ours? I demonstrate here that, by further modifying these theories to fit with the physics, we can overcome it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The limited velocity in a geometry of Lorentzian signature seem to prevent the universe to reach thermodynamic equilibrium as suggested by the cosmic microwave background. Thus it was suggested that the universe which was initially minuscule has reached a more considerable radius in a short duration by a process known as cosmic inflation. However, to drive such a process have led to the suggestion of an ad-hoc scalar field the inflaton, which has no purpose in nature other than driving the cosmic inflation field and then stopping it once the universe reached the right size. In a recent paper it was shown that rapid expansion can occur without postulating an inflation by following Hawking's suggestion and assuming that primordially the metric of the universe had an Euclidean signature, in which case velocity is not limited and thermalization and rapid expansion are derived without the need to assume an ad-hoc field. However, while in the previous work emphasis was put on the dynamics and physical statistics of the particles in a Euclidean space versus Lorentzian space in which both spaces were given. No mathematical model was given regarding the development of current Lorentzian space-time from the early Euclidean space-time, and how fundamental problems such as the space-time singularity and the homogeneity of the CMB can be solved in the hybrid Euclidean–Lorentzian picture. This lacuna is to be rectified in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have performed a parametrized post-Newtonian (PPN) test of a black hole spacetime using observational data of the star S0-2/S2 orbiting the massive black hole at our galactic center Sgr A |$^{\ast \, }$|⁠. After introducing our PPN model of black hole spacetime, we report the result of |$\chi ^2$| fitting of the PPN model with the observational data. A new finding through our PPN model is the detectability of the gravitational lens effect on the null geodesics connecting S0-2 and the observer under the present observational uncertainties, if a PPN parameter is about one order larger than the value for the general relativity case. On the other hand, the effect of black hole spin on S0-2's motion is not detectable. Thus, our present PPN test is performed with spherically symmetric vacuum black hole spacetime. The resultant value of the PPN parameter, which corresponds to the minimum |$\chi ^2$|⁠ , implies that the gravitational field of Sgr A |$^{\ast \, }$| is not of the Schwarzschild metric or that there exists a sufficient amount of dark matters around Sgr A |$^{\ast \, }$| to be detected by present telescopes. However, the difference between the minimum |$\chi ^2$| and the |$\chi ^2$| of the Schwarzschild case is not large enough to ensure the statistical significance of the non-Schwarzschild result. A more precise statistical analysis than |$\chi ^2$| statistics is necessary to extract statistically significant information on the gravitational field of Sgr A |$^{\ast \, }$| from the present observational data. We will report a result by a Bayesian analysis in our next paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We revisit Weyl's unified field theory, which arose in 1918, shortly after general relativity was discovered. As is well known, in order to extend the program of the geometrization of physics started by Einstein to include the electromagnetic field, H. Weyl developed a new geometry which constitutes a kind of generalization of Riemannian geometry. In this paper, our aim is to discuss Weyl's proposal anew and examine its consistency and completeness as a physical theory. We propose new directions and possible conceptual changes in the original work. Among these, we investigate with some detail the propagation of gravitational waves, and the new features arising in this recent modified gravity theory, in which the presence of a massive vector field appears somewhat unexpectedly. We also speculate whether the results could be examined in the context of primordial gravitational waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our aim in this paper is two-fold. We establish a novel geometric characterization of the Robertson–Walker (RW) spacetime and, along the process, we find a canonical form of the RW metric associated to an arbitrary timelike curve and an arbitrary space frame. A known characterization establishes that a spacetime foliated by constant curvature leaves whose orthogonal flow (the cosmological flow) is geodesic, shear-free, and with constant expansion on each leaf, is RW. We generalize this characterization by relaxing the condition on the expansion. We show it suffices to demand that the spatial gradient and Laplacian of the cosmological expansion on a single arbitrary timelike curve vanish. In General Relativity these local conditions are equivalent to demanding that the energy flux measured by the cosmological flow, as well as its divergence, are zero on a single arbitrary timelike curve. The proof allows us to construct canonically adapted coordinates to the arbitrary curve, thus well-fitted to an observer with an arbitrary motion with respect to the cosmological flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the existence of Ricci solitons and the nature of curvature inheritance as well as collineations on the Robinson–Trautman (briefly, RT) spacetime. It is shown that under certain conditions RT spacetime admits almost-Ricci soliton, almost- η -Ricci soliton, almost-gradient η -Ricci soliton. As a generalization of curvature inheritance [K. L. Duggal, Curvature inheritance symmetry in Riemannian spaces with applications to fluid space times, J. Math. Phys. 33(9) (1992) 2989–2997] and curvature collineation [G. H. Katzin, J. Livine and W. R. Davis, Curvature collineations: A fundamental symmetry property of the space-times of general relativity defined by the vanishing Lie derivative of the Riemann curvature tensor, J. Math. Phys. 10(4) (1969) 617–629], in this paper, we introduce the notion of generalized curvature inheritance and examine if RT spacetime admits such a notion. It is shown that RT spacetime also realizes the generalized curvature (resp., Ricci, Weyl conformal, concircular, conharmonic, Weyl projective) inheritance. Finally, several conditions are obtained, under which RT spacetime possesses curvature (resp., Ricci, conharmonic, Weyl projective) inheritance as well as curvature (resp., Ricci, Weyl conformal, concircular, conharmonic, Weyl projective) collineation, and we have also introduced the concept of generalized Lie inheritance and showed that RT spacetime realizes such a notion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spin-torsion theory is a gauge theory approach to gravity that expands upon Einstein's general relativity (GR) by incorporating the spin of microparticles. In this study, we further develop the spin-torsion theory to examine spherically symmetric and static gravitational systems that involve free-falling macroscopic particles. We posit that the quantum spin of macroscopic matter becomes noteworthy at cosmic scales. We further assume that the Dirac spinor and Dirac equation adequately capture all essential physical characteristics of the particles and their associated processes. A crucial aspect of our approach involves substituting the constant mass in the Dirac equation with a scale function, allowing us to establish a connection between quantum effects and the scale of gravitational systems. This mechanism ensures that the quantum effect of macroscopic matter is scale-dependent and diminishes locally, a phenomenon not observed in microparticles. For any given matter density distribution, our theory predicts an additional quantum term, the quantum potential energy (QPE), within the mass expression. The QPE induces time dilation and distance contraction, and thus mimics a gravitational well. When applied to cosmology, our theory yields a static cosmological model. The QPE serves as a counterpart to the cosmological constant introduced by Einstein to balance gravity in his static cosmological model. The QPE also offers a plausible explanation for the origin of Hubble redshift (traditionally attributed to the universe's expansion). The predicted luminosity distance–redshift relation aligns remarkably well with SNe Ia data from the cosmological sample of SNe Ia. In the context of galaxies, the QPE functions as the equivalent of dark matter. The predicted circular velocities align well with rotation curve data from the SPARC (Spitzer Photometry and Accurate Rotation Curves database) sample. Importantly, our conclusions in this paper are reached through a conventional approach, with the sole assumption of the quantum effects of macroscopic matter at large scales, without the need for additional modifications or assumptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Physics Essays is the property of Physics Essays Publication and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Spin contributions to the correction of the perihelion precession of binary systems, as a follow up to our previous paper, are obtained for systems such as the OJ287 system, which has a large discrepancy not satisfied by the Schwarzschild metric. In a previous paper, they use the Kerr metric to work out the spin contributions in addition to their previous formulation to make up for this discrepancy. In our method we use the de Sitter and Lense-Thirring precession, along with our alternate correction to the perihelion precession in our previous paper, for the inclusion of spin contributions for binary systems. With the addition of spin contributions, we obtain a theoretical value of 40.3 degrees for the total perihelion precession angle correction of the OJ287 system, very close to the observed value of 39.1 ± 0.1. We also obtain values for two other systems, such as the Sagittarius A*-S2, which also has a slight discrepancy, to test for consistency. We find that our methods are in close agreement with observed value of these binary systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Physics Essays is the property of Physics Essays Publication and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND) and similar proposals can (at least partially) explain the excess rotation of galaxies or the equivalent mass-discrepancy acceleration, without (or by reducing) the requirement of dark matter halos. This paper develops a modified gravity model to obtain local limit to the general relativity (GR) compatible with a cosmological metric different to the standard Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker metric. Specifically, the paper uses a distorted stereographic projection of hyperconical universes, which are 4D hypersurfaces embedded into 5D Minkowski spacetime. This embedding is a key in the MOND effects found in galactic scales. To adequately describe the mass-discrepancy acceleration relation, centrifugal force would present a small time-like contribution at large-scale dynamics due to curvature of the Universe. Therefore, the Lagrangian density is very similar to the GR but with subtracting the background curvature (or vacuum energy density) of the perturbed hyperconical metric. Results showed that the proposed model adjusts well to 123 galaxy rotation curves obtained from the Spitzer Photometry and Accurate Rotation Curves database, using only a free parameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Teleparallel Theory is equivalent to General Relativity, but whereas in the latter gravity has to do with curvature, in the former gravity is described by torsion. As is well known, there is in the literature a host of alternative theories of gravity, among them the so called extended theories, in which additional terms are added to the action, such as for example in the f(R) and f(T) gravities, where R is the Ricci scalar and T is the scalar torsion, respectively. One of the ways to probe alternative gravity is via compact objects. In fact, there is in the literature a series of papers on compact objects in f(R) and f(T) gravity. In particular, there are several papers that consider f (T) = T + ξ T 2 , where ξ is a real constant. In this paper, we generalise such extension considering compact stars in f (T) = T + ξ T β gravity, where ξ and β are real constants and looking out for the implications in their maximum masses and compactness in comparison to the General Relativity. Also, we are led to constrain the β parameter to positive integers which is a restriction not imposed by cosmology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present some new static and spherically symmetric solutions of the Einstein equation in which the matter sector is accounted for by a free Dirac–Born–Infeld field. Our novel spacetimes can describe either a black hole, a wormhole, or a naked singularity depending on certain boundary conditions. By tracking the dynamical gravitational collapse, we enlighten the importance of the isotropy of the pressure for having an horizon as a result, as required by the Cosmic Censorship Conjecture. Our new spacetime solutions, the amount of exotic matter, its "complexity", and the equation of state along the tangential direction are analytical and written in closed forms. We identify a taming of the breaking of the null energy condition, customary for wormhole spacetimes in General Relativity, along both the radial and tangential direction. We assess the astrophysical applicability and perform a comparative analysis between our solutions and other literature ones, by identifying an ISO-like density profile of the matter field, which provides a flattening of the rotation curves, by discussing the motion of test particles, and the shadow properties. In our model, those effects are interpreted as a manifestation of a topological defect, and since they can observationally mimic the signatures of other spacetimes, a study of the perturbations is performed within the quasi-normal modes formalism. Having identified the Reissner–Nordström-like quasi-resonance, our paper is intended also to provide some insights on which combinations of background and perturbation properties should be observed, for claiming the nature of astrophysical compact objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, different aspects of the concept of spin are studied. The most well-established one is, of course, the quantum mechanical aspect: spin is a broken symmetry in the sense that the solutions of the Dirac equation tend to have directional properties that cannot be seen in the equation itself. It has been clear since the early days of quantum mechanics that this has something to do with the indefinite metric in Lorentz geometry, but the mechanism behind this connection is elusive. Although spin is not the same as rotation in the usual sense, there must certainly be a close relationship between these concepts. And, a possible way to investigate this connection is to instead start from the underlying geometry in general relativity. Is there a reason why rotating motion in Lorentz geometry should be more natural than non-rotating motion? In a certain sense, the answer turns out to be yes. But, it is by no means easy to see what this should correspond to in the usual quantum mechanical picture. On the other hand, it seems very unlikely that the similarities should be just coincidental. The interpretation of the author is that this can be a golden opportunity to investigate the interplay between these two theories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this short paper we reply to the Comment by M.J.T.F. Cabbolet on Villata's theory of antigravity. The criticisms of methodological and ontological kind presented by that author come from a misinterpretation of some concepts, perhaps due to some lack of clarity or omission of details in Villata's original article. In order to clarify these points, here we provide additional explanations regarding the assumptions and results of the theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a recent paper of M. Villata, it is claimed that 'antigravity appears as a prediction of general relativity when CPT is applied.' However, the present paper argues that Villata puts the cart before the horse qua methodology, and that the resulting theory cannot be reconciled with the ontological presuppositions of general relativity. The conclusion is that Villata's suggestion for the physics that might underlie a gravitational repulsion of matter and antimatter is not acceptable as a fundamental theory in its current state of development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to explain the significance of Alfred A. Robb's philosophy of time stemming from his interpretation of relativity theory; and at the same time, to investigate the reasons for the failure of his philosophical contemporaries to appreciate its significance, with special attention to its reception on Russell's part. The study of Russell's reaction to Robb exposes shortcomings in Russell's own philosophy of time, which has been extremely influential through the years. It also highlights the philosophical differences between Minkowski and Robb, the shared idealistic premises of Russell and McTaggart, and the confluences between the views of Russell, Eddington and McTaggart. The paper closes with an account of how Robb's interpretation has been vindicated by its adoption in modern physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a summary for non-specialists of loop quantum gravity as part of the modern legacy of the series of papers by Arnowitt, Deser and Misner circa 1960. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the development of Brans–Dicke gravity, it has become well-known that a conformal transformation of the metric can reformulate this theory, transferring the coupling of the scalar field from the Ricci scalar to the matter sector. Specifically, in this new frame, known as the Einstein frame, Brans–Dicke gravity is reformulated as General Relativity supplemented by an additional scalar field. In 1959, Hans Adolf Buchdahl utilized an elegant technique to derive a set of solutions for the vacuum field equations within this gravitational framework. In this paper, we extend Buchdahl's method to incorporate the cosmological constant and to the scalar-tensor cases beyond the Brans–Dicke archetypal theory, thereby, with a conformal transformation of the metric, obtaining solutions for a version of Brans–Dicke theory that includes a quadratic potential. More specifically, we obtain synchronous solutions in the following contexts: in scalar-tensor gravity with massless scalar fields, Brans–Dicke theory with a quadratic potential, where we obtain specific synchronous metrics to the Schwarzschild–de Sitter metric, the Nariai solution, and a hyperbolically foliated solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a recent series of papers new exact analytical interior spacetimes sourced by stationary rigidly rotating cylinders of fluids have been displayed. A fluid with an axially directed pressure has been first considered, then a perfect fluid, followed by a fluid with an azimuthally directed pressure, and, finally, by a fluid where the pressure is radially oriented. The perfect fluid configuration has subsequently been extended to the case of differential rotation. In the present paper, three different cases of anisotropic pressure analogous to those studied for rigidly rotating motion are considered in turn for differentially rotating fluids. General methods for generating mathematical solutions to the field equations and physically well-behaved examples are displayed for the axial and azimuthal pressure cases. As regards radial pressure fluids, four classes of solutions naturally emerge from the corresponding Einstein's equations, among which one class, after being fully integrated, exhibits physically well-behaved solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

General relativity suggests that the speed of light is influence by the gravitational potential. Several experiments illustrate variations in time attributed to the presence of the gravitational potential. These experiments can be interpreted to support the variability of the speed of light. However, this interpretation has not been definitively established or universally accepted. Using the Schwarzschild metric, a quantification of the influence of gravity on the speed of light can be inferred. This paper proposes that the variation in the speed of light could occur most strongly in the vicinity of a massive object (e.g., in the vicinity of a massive black hole). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Einsteinian cubic gravity (ECG) is the most general theory up to cubic order in curvature, which has the same graviton spectrum as the Einstein theory. In this paper, we investigate the geodesic motions of timelike particles around the four dimensional asymptotically flat black holes in ECG, and discuss their potential applications when connecting them with recent observational results. We first explore the effects of the cubic couplings on the marginally bound orbits (MBO), innermost stable circular orbits (ISCO) and on the periodic orbits around the Einsteinian cubic black hole. We find that comparing to Schwarzschild black hole in general relativity, the cubic coupling enhances the energy as well as the angular momentum for all the bound orbits of the particles. Then, we derive the relativistic periastron precessions of the particles and give a preliminary bound on the cubic coupling employing the observational result of the S2 star's pericenter precession in SgrA*. Finally, after calculating the periodic orbits' configurations, we preliminarily evaluate the gravitational waveform radiated from several periodic orbits in one complete period of a test object which orbits a supermassive Einsteinian cubic black hole. Our studies could be helpful for us to better understand the gravitational structure of the theory with high curvatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An editorial is presented which discusses the highlights of the Second Joint Italian-Pakistani Workshop on Relativistic Astrophysics held at ICRANet in Pescara, Italy in July 2009. The workshop was dedicated to astrophysicist John Archibald Wheeler, who died on April 13, 2008. The authors provided information on the life of Wheeler and his contributions in the study of general relativity.

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In the 1930s the mathematical physicist Howard P. Robertson was the main referee of the journal Physical Review for papers concerning general relativity and related subjects. The rich correspondence between Robertson and the editors of the journal enables a historical investigation of the refereeing process of Physical Review at the time that it was becoming one of the most influential physics periodicals in the world. By focusing on this case study, the paper investigates two complementary aspects of the evolution of the refereeing process: first, the historical evolution of the refereeing practices in connection with broader contextual changes, and second, the attempts to define the activity of the referee, including the epistemic virtues required and the journal's functions according to the participants' categories. By exploring the tension between Robertson's idealized picture about how the referee should behave and the desire to promote his intellectual agenda, I show that the evaluation criteria that Robertson employed were contextually dependent and I argue that, in the 1930s, through his reports the referee had an enormous power in defining what direction future research should take. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The GRG journal's Golden Oldies series has republished more than 80 important old papers in general relativity and gravitation. This announcement updates and replaces the one made in Gen. Relativ. Gravit. 39 (7), 1043 (2007) as modified by the editorial announcement in Gen. Relativ. Gravit. 44 (10), 2419 (2012). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper we study Ricci pseudo-symmetry, Z-Ricci pseudo-symmetry and concircularly pseudo-symmetry conditions on a mixed generalized quasi-Einstein spacetime MG(QE)4. Also, it is proven that if d ≠ Λ, then MG(QE)4 spacetime does not admit heat flux, where d and Λ are the function and the cosmological constant, respectively. In the end of this paper we construct a non-trivial example of MG(QE)4 to prove its existence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Einstein's General Relativity (GR), the gravitational interactions are described by the spacetime curvature. Recently, other alternative geometric formulations and representations of GR have emerged in which the gravitational interactions are described by the so-called torsion or non-metricity. Here, we consider the recently proposed modified symmetric teleparallel theory of gravity or f (Q) gravity, where Q represents the non-metricity scalar. In this paper, motivated by several papers in the literature, we assume the power-law form of the function f (Q) as f (Q) = α Q n + 1 + β , (where α , β , and n are free model parameters) that contains two models: Linear (n = 0) and nonlinear (n ≠ 0). Further, to add constraints to the field equations we assume the deceleration parameter form as a divergence-free parametrization. Then, we discuss the behavior of various cosmographic and cosmological parameters such as the jerk, snap, lerk, O m diagnostic, cosmic energy density, isotropic pressure, and equation of state (EoS) parameter with a check of the violation of the strong energy condition (SEC) to obtain the acceleration phase of the Universe. Hence, we conclude that our cosmological f (Q) models behave like quintessence dark energy (DE). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]