883 research outputs found
Parametrized post-Newtonian virial theorem
Using the parametrized post-Newtonian equations of hydrodynamics, we derive
the tensor form of the parametrized post-Newtonian virial theorem.Comment: 10 pages, submitted to CQ
A Way to Dynamically Overcome the Cosmological Constant Problem
The Cosmological Constant problem can be solved once we require that the full
standard Einstein Hilbert lagrangian, gravity plus matter, is multiplied by a
total derivative. We analyze such a picture writing the total derivative as the
covariant gradient of a new vector field (b_mu). The dynamics of this b_mu
field can play a key role in the explanation of the present cosmological
acceleration of the Universe.Comment: 5 page
Stellar configurations in f(R) theories of gravity
We study stellar configurations and the space-time around them in metric
theories of gravity. In particular, we focus on the polytropic model of
the Sun in the model. We show how the stellar configuration in
the theory can, by appropriate initial conditions, be selected to be
equal to that described by the Lane-Emden -equation and how a simple scaling
relation exists between the solutions. We also derive the correct solution
analytically near the center of the star in theory. Previous analytical
and numerical results are confirmed, indicating that the space-time around the
Sun is incompatible with Solar System constraints on the properties of gravity.
Numerical work shows that stellar configurations, with a regular metric at the
center, lead to outside the star ie. the
Schwarzschild-de Sitter -space-time is not the correct vacuum solution for such
configurations. Conversely, by selecting the Schwarzschild-de Sitter -metric as
the outside solution, we find that the stellar configuration is unchanged but
the metric is irregular at the center. The possibility of constructing a
theory compatible with the Solar System experiments and possible new
constraints arising from the radius-mass -relation of stellar objects is
discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures; typos corrected, reference adde
On the penetration of meridional circulation below the solar convection zone
Meridional flows with velocities of a few meters per second are observed in
the uppermost regions of the solar convection zone. The amplitude and pattern
of the flows deeper in the solar interior, in particular near the top of the
radiative region, are of crucial importance to a wide range of solar
magnetohydrodynamical processes. In this paper, we provide a systematic study
of the penetration of large-scale meridional flows from the convection zone
into the radiative zone. In particular, we study the effects of the assumed
boundary conditions applied at the convective-radiative interface on the deeper
flows. Using simplified analytical models in conjunction with more complete
numerical methods, we show that penetration of the convectively-driven
meridional flows into the deeper interior is not necessarily limited to a
shallow Ekman depth but can penetrate much deeper, depending on how the
convective-radiative interface flows are modeled.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures. Subitted to Ap
The evolution of density perturbations in f(R) gravity
We give a rigorous and mathematically well defined presentation of the
Covariant and Gauge Invariant theory of scalar perturbations of a
Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker universe for Fourth Order Gravity, where
the matter is described by a perfect fluid with a barotropic equation of state.
The general perturbations equations are applied to a simple background solution
of R^n gravity. We obtain exact solutions of the perturbations equations for
scales much bigger than the Hubble radius. These solutions have a number of
interesting features. In particular, we find that for all values of n there is
always a growing mode for the density contrast, even if the universe undergoes
an accelerated expansion. Such a behaviour does not occur in standard General
Relativity, where as soon as Dark Energy dominates, the density contrast
experiences an unrelenting decay. This peculiarity is sufficiently novel to
warrant further investigation on fourth order gravity models.Comment: 21 pages, 2 figures, typos corrected, submitted to PR
Eddington-Born-Infeld action for dark energy and dark matter
We argue that Einstein gravity coupled to a Born-Infeld theory provides an
attractive candidate to represent dark matter and dark energy. For cosmological
models, the Born-Infeld field has an equation of state which interpolates
between matter, w=0 (small times), and a cosmological constant w=-1 (large
times). On galactic scales, the Born-Infeld field predicts asymptotically flat
rotation curves.Comment: A sign mistake in section on galactic scales is pointed out. This
sign invalidates the content of that section. See comment on manuscrip
Time-Dependent Models for Dark Matter at the Galactic Center
The prospects of indirect detection of dark matter at the galactic center
depend sensitively on the mass profile within the inner parsec. We calculate
the distribution of dark matter on sub-parsec scales by integrating the
time-dependent Fokker-Planck equation, including the effects of
self-annihilations, scattering of dark matter particles by stars, and capture
in the supermassive black hole. We consider a variety of initial dark matter
distributions, including models with very high densities ("spikes") near the
black hole, and models with "adiabatic compression" of the baryons. The
annihilation signal after 10 Gyr is found to be substantially reduced from its
initial value, but in dark matter models with an initial spike,
order-of-magnitude enhancements can persist compared with the rate in
spike-free models, with important implications for indirect dark matter
searches with GLAST and Air Cherenkov Telescopes like HESS and CANGAROO.Comment: Four page
Lukewarm black holes in quadratic gravity
Perturbative solutions to the fourth-order gravity describing
spherically-symmetric, static and electrically charged black hole in an
asymptotically de Sitter universe is constructed and discussed. Special
emphasis is put on the lukewarm configurations, in which the temperature of the
event horizon equals the temperature of the cosmological horizon
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