Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2000-04-23
Mon.Not.Roy.Astron.Soc.316:L41,2000
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
6 pages, 2 figures
Scientific paper
10.1046/j.1365-8711.2000.03778.x
Recent astronomical observations of distant supernovae light-curves suggest that the expansion of the universe has recently begun to accelerate. Acceleration is created by an anti-gravitational repulsive stress, like that produced by a positive cosmological constant, or universal vacuum energy. It creates a rather bleak eschatological picture. An ever-expanding universe's future appears to be increasingly dominated by its constant vacuum energy. A universe doomed to accelerate forever will produce a state of growing uniformity and cosmic loneliness. Structures participating in the cosmological expansion will ultimately leave each others' horizons and information-processing must eventually die out. Here, we examine whether this picture is the only interpretation of the observations. We find that in many well-motivated scenarios the observed spell of vacuum domination is only a transient phenomenon. Soon after acceleration starts, the vacuum energy's anti-gravitational properties are reversed, and a matter-dominated decelerating cosmic expansion resumes. Thus, contrary to general expectations, once an accelerating universe does not mean always an accelerating universe.
Barrow John
Bean Rachel
Magueijo Joao
No associations
LandOfFree
Can the Universe escape eternal acceleration? does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Can the Universe escape eternal acceleration?, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Can the Universe escape eternal acceleration? will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-671521