Awatmath.1912
net.space
utcsrgv!utzoo!decvax!watmath!pcmcgeer
Thu Mar 4 18:14:28 1982
FTL Quasars
Hmm. Sounds interesting. Is it possible that the value of c is
related in some way to the gravitational constant - or, put more formally,
to the global curvature of space?
If it is, then an explanation for the Faster-Than-Light quasars
is immediate: It is known that the gravitational constant is decreasing
over time (discovered in 1980). If we take the standard cosmological view
of quasars, then they are inhabitants of the early universe, a time when
according to current theory G had a much higher value than now. If it
developed that c was directly related to G, then c would be correspondingly
higher at that time: thus, we have quasars moving at speed greater than
300,000 kps but less than the then-current value of c.
Notice how nicely this hypothesis fits with special relativity;
we need not hypothesize faster-than-light objects.
However, if true, then c (since this is, at bottom, just the speed
of a little blue photon) should be variable with local (as well as global)
spacetime curvature. Presumably, then, relativistic dilations experienced
at some velocity in curved spacetime would be different from those
experienced in flat spacetime, though I don't know how you'd do an experiment
to determine it.
This opens up interesting possibilities for an interstellar drive;
if we could transport a portable black hole with an interstellar ship, we
could, presumably, travle at much higher velocities than we could in
flat spacetime.
Cheers,
Rick.
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