Search Results (36)

We investigate the accelerated cosmic expansion in the late universe and derive constraints on the values of the cosmic key parameters according to different cosmologies such as $\mathsf{\Lambda }$CDM, wCDM, and $w_0{w}_a$CDM. We select 24 baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) uncorrelated measurements from the latest galaxy surveys measurements in the range of redshift $z\in [0.106,2.33]$ combined with the Pantheon SNeIa dataset, the latest 33 $H\left(z\right)$ measurements using the cosmic chronometers (CCs) method, and the recent Hubble constant value measurement measured by Riess 2022 (R22) as an additional prior. In the $\mathsf{\Lambda }$CDM framework, the model fit yields ${\mathsf{\Omega }}_m=0.268\pm 0.037$ and ${\mathsf{\Omega }}_{\mathsf{\Lambda }}=0.726\pm 0.023$. Combining BAO with Pantheon plus the cosmic chronometers datasets we obtain $H_0=69.76\pm 1.71$ km s${}^{-1}$ Mpc${}^{-1}$ and the sound horizon result is $r_d=145.88\pm 3.32$ Mpc. For the flat wCDM model, we obtain $w=-1.001\pm 0.040$. For the dynamical evolution of the dark energy equation of state, $w_0{w}_a$CDM cosmology, we obtain $w_a=-0.848\pm 0.180$. We apply the Akaike information criterion approach to compare the three models, and see that all cannot be ruled out from the latest observational measurements. Full article

We point out that a modified temperature–redshift relation (T-z relation) of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) cannot be deduced by any observational method that appeals to an a priori thermalisation to the CMB temperature T of the excited states in a probe environment of independently determined redshift z. For example, this applies to quasar-light absorption by a damped Lyman-alpha system due to atomic as well as ionic fine-splitting transitions or molecular rotational bands. Similarly, the thermal Sunyaev-Zel’dovich (thSZ) effect cannot be used to extract the CMB’s T-z relation. This is because the relative line strengths between ground and excited states in the former and the CMB spectral distortion in the latter case both depend, apart from environment-specific normalisations, solely on the dimensionless spectral variable $x=\frac{h\nu }{k_{B}T}$. Since the literature on extractions of the CMB’s T-z relation always assumes (i) $\nu \left(z\right)=(1+z)\nu (z=0)$, where $\nu (z=0)$ is the observed frequency in the heliocentric rest frame, the finding (ii) $T\left(z\right)=(1+z)T(z=0)$ just confirms the expected blackbody nature of the interacting CMB at $z>0$. In contrast to the emission of isolated, directed radiation, whose frequency–redshift relation ($\nu$-z relation) is subject to (i), a non-conventional $\nu$-z relation $\nu \left(z\right)=f\left(z\right)\nu (z=0)$ of pure, isotropic blackbody radiation, subject to adiabatically slow cosmic expansion, necessarily has to follow that of the T-z relation $T\left(z\right)=f\left(z\right)T(z=0)$ and vice versa. In general, the function $f\left(z\right)$ is determined by the energy conservation of the CMB fluid in a Friedmann–Lemaitre–Robertson–Walker universe. If the pure CMB is subject to an SU(2) rather than a U(1) gauge principle, then $f\left(z\right)={\left(1/4\right)}^{1/3}(1+z)$ for $z\gg 1$, and $f\left(z\right)$ is non-linear for $z\sim 1$. Full article

Black holes are one of the most extreme phenomena in the Universe, bridging the gap between the realms of general relativity and quantum physics. Any matter that crosses the event horizon moves towards the core of the black hole, creating a singularity with infinite mass density—a phenomenon that cannot be comprehended within present theories of relativity and quantum physics. In this study, we undertake an investigation of non-rotating, non-charged Schwarzschild black holes in an extended spacetime framework with two time dimensions. To accomplish this, we extend Einstein’s field equations by one more temporal dimension. We solve the corresponding equations for a spherical central mass, which leads to an Abel-type equation for the 5D Schwarzschild metric. By exploring distinct solution classes, we present an approximate solution for the 5D metric. Our proposed solution maintains consistency with Schwarzschild’s 4D solution. Finally, we address the central black hole singularity and demonstrate a potential breakthrough, as our solution effectively avoids the singularity quandary, providing valuable insight into the fundamental properties of black holes in this augmented framework. Full article

Natural systems of units $\left\{U_i\right\}$ need to be overhauled to include the dimensionless coupling constants $\left\{{\mathsf{\alpha }}_{U_i}\right\}$ of the natural forces. Otherwise, they cannot quantify all the forces of nature in a unified manner. Thus, each force must furnish a system of units with at least one dimensional and one dimensionless constant. We revisit three natural systems of units (atomic, cosmological, and Planck). The Planck system is easier to rectify, and we do so in this work. The atomic system discounts $\{G,{\mathsf{\alpha }}_G\}$, thus it cannot account for gravitation. The cosmological system discounts $\{\cancel{h},{\mathsf{\alpha }}_{\cancel{h}}\}$, thus it cannot account for quantum physics. Here, the symbols have their usual meanings; in particular, ${\mathsf{\alpha }}_G$ is the gravitational coupling constant and ${\mathsf{\alpha }}_{\cancel{h}}$ is Dirac’s fine-structure constant. The speed of light c and the impedance of free space $Z_0$ are resistive properties imposed by the vacuum itself; thus, they must be present in all systems of units. The upgraded Planck system with fundamental units $\mathrm{UPS}:=\{c,Z_0,G,{\mathsf{\alpha }}_G,\cancel{h},{\mathsf{\alpha }}_{\cancel{h}},\dots \}$ describes all physical scales in the universe—it is nature’s system of units. As such, it reveals a number of properties, most of which have been encountered previously in seemingly disjoint parts of physics and some of which have been designated as mere coincidences. Based on the UPS results, which relate (sub)atomic scales to the Planck scale and the fine-structure constant to the Higgs field, we can state with confidence that no observed or measured physical properties are coincidental in this universe. Furthermore, we derive from first principles Koide’s $K=2/3$ enigmatic constant and additional analogous quark and vector boson constants. These are formal mathematical proofs that justify a posteriori the use of geometric means in deriving the quark/boson mass ladder. This ladder allows us to also calculate the Higgs couplings to the vector bosons and the Weinberg angle in terms of K only, and many of the “free” parameters of the Standard Model of particle physics were previously expected to be determined only from experiments. Full article

Based on the recently demonstrated resonant wave–wave process, it is shown that electrons can be accelerated to ultra-relativistic energies in the magnetospheres of radio pulsars. The energization occurs via the resonant interaction of the electron wave (described by the Klein–Gordon (KG) equation) moving in unison with an intense electromagnetic (EM) wave; the KG wave/particle continuously draws energy from EM. In a brief recapitulation of the general theory, the high-energy (resonantly enhanced) electron states are investigated by solving the KG equation, minimally coupled to the EM field. The restricted class of solutions that propagate in phase with EM radiation (functions only of $\zeta =\omega t-kz$) are explored to serve as a possible basis for the proposed electron energization in the radio pulsars. We show that the wave–wave resonant energization mechanism could be operative in a broad class of radio pulsars with periods ranging from milliseconds to normal values (∼1 s); this could drive the magnetospheric electrons to acquire energies from 100 s of TeVs (millisecond pulsars) to 10 ZeVs (normal pulsars). Full article

We investigate the infinite-distance properties of families of unstable flux vacua in string theory with broken supersymmetry. To this end, we employ a generalized notion of distance in the moduli space and we build a holographic description for the non-perturbative regime of the tunneling cascade in terms of a renormalization group flow. In one limit, we recover an exponentially-light tower of Kaluza-Klein states, while in the opposite limit, we find a tower of higher-spin excitations of D1-branes, realizing the emergent string proposal. In particular, the holographic description includes a free sector, whose emergent superconformal symmetry resonates with supersymmetric stability, the CFT distance conjecture and S-duality. We compute the anomalous dimensions of scalar vertex operators and single-trace higher-spin currents, finding an exponential suppression with the distance which is not generic from the renormalization group perspective, but appears specific to our settings. Full article

First of all, we show that any spherically symmetric galactic model with integrated mass profile $M\left(r\right)\to 0$ as $r\to 0$ is physically correct close to the centre only provided that the circular velocity $v_c\left(r\right)\to 0$ and the gravitational field $g\left(r\right)\to 0$ as $r\to 0$. Next, we apply this statement to a broad class of five-parameter spherical galactic models, including most of those used in astrophysics and cosmology. Specifically, we show that the Jaffe and Hernquist models can be trusted only for $r\gtrsim 0.2R_e$ ($R_e$ being the effective radius), while the Navarro–Frank–White (NFW) model cannot describe galaxies in the central region of regular clusters. We also briefly discuss the relevance of our result for the NFW profile of pure dark matter halos. However, we are unable to tell at which central distance the NFW model breaks down in either case, and this is a challenge for future investigations. Full article

Twenty years ago, we started to apply quantum optics to the astronomical research carried out inside the Department of Physics and Astronomy and the INAF Astronomical Observatory in Padova, Italy. The initial activities were stimulated by the project of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) to build a 100 m diameter telescope, the Overwhelmingly Large (OWL) telescope. The enormous photon flux expected from such an aperture suggested that quantum optics concepts be utilized in order to obtain novel astrophysical results. Following initial successful attempts to utilize the orbital angular momentum of the light beam to enhance the visibility of faint companions to bright stars, the Padova team concentrated its efforts on very high time resolution, in order to measure and store the arrival time of celestial photons to better than one nanosecond. To obtain observational results, we built two photon counting photometers (AquEye and IquEye) to be used with our telescopes of the Asiago Observatory and with 4 m class telescopes such as the ESO New Technology Telescope (NTT) in Chile. This paper firstly describes these two instruments and then expounds the results obtained on pulsar light curves, lunar occultations and the first photon counting intensity interferometry measurements of the bright star Vega. Indeed, the correlation of photon arrival times on two or more apertures can lead to extremely high angular resolutions, as shown around 1970 by Hanbury Brown and Twiss. Prospects for quantum intensity interferometry with arrays of Cherenkov light telescopes will also be described. Full article

The study presents a concise overview on the main effects on satellites due to space weather drivers compared to the well-known interplanetary, magnetospheric and ground-based consequences. The solar-activity-driven influences include specific physics-based effects on the spacecraft surface and on-board electronics due to electromagnetic emission and energetic particles as well as complex effects due to geomagnetic storms which may endanger the mission performance and spacecraft longevity. We select as test examples the Starlink satellites in the period 2019–2022 and present the temporal correspondence between their launches and the space weather phenomena. Based on comparative analysis, we discuss whether the occurrence vs. the intensity of solar and interplanetary drivers of space weather can be considered as a cause for orbital stability problems and satellite loss. The results suggest that a sequence of geomagnetic disturbances together with multiple weak space weather events could lead to severe levels of atmospheric drag ending in a service or satellite loss. Full article

The distribution of energetic ion flux in the ring current region, such as a meteorological cumulonimbus cloud, stores up the particle energy for a geomagnetic substorm. It is helpful to study the geomagnetic substorm mechanism by using a lunar base ENA imaging simulation of the dynamic evolution of the ring current, and establishing the corresponding relationship between key node events of the substorm. Based on the previous observation experience and our simulation results of the dynamic evolution of the ring current, we propose a macroscopic model of substorms related to the dynamic evolution of ring currents and present the possibility of confirming the causal sequence of some of those critical node events of substorms with the lunar base ENA imaging measurement. IBEX, operating in the ecliptic plane, may even give examples of the telemetry of ring current ion fluxes through ENA measurements during substorms/quiets. Full article

We reconstructed dark spots in the images of supermassive black holes SgrA* and M87* provided by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration by using the geometrically thin accretion disk model. In this model, the black hole is highlighted by the hot accretion matter up to the very vicinity of the black hole event horizon. The existence of hot accretion matter in the vicinity of black hole event horizons is predicted by the Blandford–Znajek mechanism, which is confirmed by recent general relativistic MHD simulations in supercomputers. A dark spot in the black hole image in the described model is a gravitationally lensed image of an event horizon globe. The lensed images of event horizons are always projected at the celestial sphere inside the awaited positions of the classical black hole shadows, which are invisible in both cases of M87* and SgrA*. We used the sizes of dark spots in the images of SgrA* and M87* for inferring their spins, $0.65<a<0.9$ and $a>0.75$, accordingly. Full article

Generalized symmetrons are models that have qualitatively similar features to the archetypal symmetron, but have barely been studied. In this article, we investigate for what parameter values the fifth forces induced by disformally coupling generalized symmetrons can provide an explanation for the difference between baryonic and lens masses of galaxies. While it is known that the standard symmetron struggles to provide an alternative source for the lensing otherwise attributed to particle dark matter, we show that some generalized symmetron models are more suitable for complying with existing constraints on disformal couplings. This motivates future studies of these only little-explored models. Full article

The general-relativistic (GR) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations for a conductive plasma fluid are derived and discussed in the curved spacetime described by Thorne’s metric tensor, i.e., a family of cosmological models with inherent anisotropy due to the existence of an ambient, large-scale magnetic field. In this framework, it is examined whether the magnetized plasma fluid that drives the evolution of such a model can be subsequently excited by a transient, plane-polarized gravitational wave (GW) or not. To do so, we consider the associated set of the perturbed equations of motion and integrate them numerically in order to study the evolution of instabilities triggered by the GW propagation. In particular, we examine to what extend perturbations of the electric and/or the magnetic field can be amplified due to a potential energy transfer from the GW to the electromagnetic (EM) degrees of freedom. The evolution of the perturbed quantities depends on four free parameters, namely, the conductivity of the fluid, $\sigma$; the speed of sound square, $\frac{1}{3}<{\left(\frac{C_s}{c}\right)}^2\equiv \gamma <1$, which in this model may serve also as a measure of the inherent anisotropy; the GW frequency, ${\omega }_g$; and the associated angle of propagation with respect to the direction of the magnetic field, $\theta$. We find that GW propagation in the anisotropic magnetized medium under consideration does excite several MHD modes; in other words, there is energy transfer from the gravitational to the EM degrees of freedom that can result in the acceleration of charged particles at the spot and in the subsequent damping of the GW. Full article

The phenomenon of the Dark matter baffles the researchers: the underlying dark particle has escaped so far the detection and its astrophysical role appears complex and entangled with that of the standard luminous particles. We propose that, in order to act efficiently, alongside with abandoning the current $\mathrm{\Lambda }CDM$ scenario, we need also to shift the Paradigm from which it emerged. Full article

Applying the ideas from microscopic objects to macroscopic stellar and galactic systems, the evolution of compact di-stars and di-galaxies is studied in the mass asymmetry coordinate. The formation of stable binary systems is analyzed. The role of symmetrization of an initially asymmetric binary system is revealed in the transformation of gravitational energy into internal energy of stars or galaxies accompanied by the release of a huge amount of energy. For the contact binary stars, the change of the orbital period is explained by evolution to symmetry in mass asymmetry coordinates. The matter transfer in binary black holes is studied. The conditions for the merger of black holes in a binary system are analyzed regarding the radiation of gravitational waves. Using the model based on the Regge-like laws, the Darwin instability effect in binary systems is discussed. New analytical formulas are derived for the period of orbital rotation and the relative distance between the components of a binary system. The impossibility of the appearance of a binary cosmic object from a single cosmic object is revealed. Full article