Il Nuovo Cimento B (1971-1996)

, Volume 93, Issue 2, pp 119–144 | Cite as

Considerations about the apparent «superluminal expansions» observed in astrophysics

  • E. Recami
  • A. Castellino
  • G. D. Maccarrone
  • M. Rodonò
Article
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Summary

The orthodox models devised to explain the apparent «superluminal expansions» observed in astrophysics—and here briefly summarized and discussed together with the experimental data—do not seem to be too much successful, especially when confronted with the most recent observations, suggesting complicated expansion patterns, even with possible accelerations. At this point it may be, therefore, of some interest to explore the possible alternative models in which actual Superluminal motions take place. To prepare the ground, we start from a variational principle, introduce the elements of a tachyon mechanics within special relativity, and argue about the expected behaviour of tachyonic objects when interacting (gravitationally, for instance) among themselves or with ordinary matter. We then review and develop the simplest «Superluminal models», paying particular attention to theobservations which they would give rise to. We conclude that some of them appear to be physically acceptable and are statistically favoured with respect to the orthodox ones.

PACS

98.70.Dk Discrete radio sources 

PACS

03.30 Special relativity 

PACS

14.80 Other and hypothetical particles 

Рассмотрение очевидного «сверхсветового расширения» в астрофизике

Резюме

В этой работе обсуждаются ортодоксальные модели, разработанные для объяснения очевидного «сверхсветового расширения», наблюденного в астрофизике, наряду с экспериментальными данными. Отмечаются недостатки этих моделей. Особенно, когда модели сопоставляются с недавними наблюдениями, предполагающими сложную картину расширения, даже с возможными ускорениями. Следовательно, с этой точки зрения представляет интерес исследовать возможные альтернативные модели, в которых могут иметь место действительные суперсветовые движения. Сначала мы исходим из вариационного принципа, вводим элементы тахионной механики в специальнцю теорию относительности и аргументируем ожидаемое поведение тахионных объектов, взаимодействующих (гравитационным образом) друг с другом и с обыкновенным веществом. Затем развиваем простейшие «суперсветовые модели», обращая особое внимание на наблюдаемые величины, которые получаются в этих моделях. Мы отмечаем, что некоторые из рассмотренных моделей являются физически приемлемыми и статистически предпочтительными относительно ортодоксальных моделей.

Riassunto

I modelli ortodossi costruiti per spiegare le apparenti «espansioni superluminali» osservate in astrofisica—e qui brevemente riassunti e discussi, insieme coi dati sperimentali relativi—sembra non abbiamo avuto troppo successo, specialmente se posti a confronto con le piú recenti osservazioni, le quali suggeriscono la presenza di meccanismi di espansione complicati anche con possibili accelerazioni. A questo punto, quindi, può essere di qualche interesse esplorare i possibili modelli alternativi, in cui abbiano luogo effettivi moti Superluminali. Per preparare il terreno partiamo da un principio variazionale, introduciamo le basi di una meccanica dei tachioni nell’ambito della relatività speciale, e individuiamo il comportamento che ci si aspetta da parte dei tachioni quando essi interagiscono (ad esempiogravitazionalmente) tra di loro o con la materia ordinaria. Si esaminano, quindi, e si sviluppano i piú semplici modelli «Superluminali», prestando particolare attenzione alleosservazioni a cui essi darebbero luogo. Si conclude che alcuni di tali modelli appaiono fisicamente accettabili e statisticamente favoriti rispetto a quelli ortodossi.

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Copyright information

© Società Italiana di Fisica 1986

Authors and Affiliations

  • E. Recami
    • 1
    • 2
  • A. Castellino
    • 1
    • 2
  • G. D. Maccarrone
    • 1
    • 2
  • M. Rodonò
    • 3
  1. 1.Istituto di Fisica dell’Università StataleCataniaItalia
  2. 2.Istituto Nazionale di Fisica NucleareSezione di CataniaItalia
  3. 3.Istituto di Astronomia dell’Università StataleCataniaItalia

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