Shock-Wave C osmology

Abstract

In this paper we are motivated by the idea that, similar to a classical, (non-relativistic) explosion, the expansion of the universe as measured by the Hubble constant, might be due to a tremendous (localized) shock-wave explosion into a static ambient space time. Were this the case, then the earth would be in a special place relative to the center of the explosion, thereby violating the Copernican Principle (CP) which implies that no spacetime point is in a “distinguished place” in the universe. The CP justifies the Standard Cosmology based on the FriedmannRobertson-Walker (FRW) metric (gravitational field), because the FRW metric is the only metric consistent with Einstein’s equations, which is homogeneous and isotropic about each point. The high degree of uniformity of the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR), together with the directional independence of the red-shifting of galaxies, give support to the CP. A shock-wave at the leading edge of that portion of our universe for which the Hubble constant applies, also violates another important pillar of the Standard Cosmology, this being the idea that one can meaningfully trace the model back to 10^-33seconds after the Big Bang. Indeed, as is well-known, shock-waves imply entropy increase and hence loss-ofinformation about the past. Thus a cosmology based upon shock-waves implies the impossibility of recovering details of the early explosion.