Thick-Skinned Gravastars Vie to Replace Black Holes, in Theory

In summary, the idea proposed by Mottola and Mazur suggests that our entire universe may be the interior of a giant gravastar, with the expansion of the universe being caused by matter falling into it. However, this theory faces challenges, as the conditions inside a gravastar do not seem to match those observed in our universe.
  • #1
brum
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http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/astronomy/gravastars_020423.html


I pose this question: could our "big bang" theory (as we know it now) describe what could really be happening inside a black hole (err "gravastar")


Mottola and Mazur have taken their extreme idea to a mentally dizzying new level: The say our entire universe may be the interior of a giant gravastar.

Think about this: the expansion of the universe (as we see it right now) is simply due to more and more matter falling into the "gravastar" in which our universe lies!


When a black hole forms -- does it expand really quickly at first (like the big bang), then slows, etc. In other words, could the sequence of events in the big bang (and onwards to the present time) mirror the events that happen with a black hole/gravastar?
 
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  • #2
Originally posted by brum
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/astronomy/gravastars_020423.html


I pose this question: could our "big bang" theory (as we know it now) describe what could really be happening inside a black hole (err "gravastar")

Think about this: the expansion of the universe (as we see it right now) is simply due to more and more matter falling into the "gravastar" in which our universe lies!

When a black hole forms -- does it expand really quickly at first (like the big bang), then slows, etc. In other words, could the sequence of events in the big bang (and onwards to the present time) mirror the events that happen with a black hole/gravastar?
Probably not. The site you posted states:

"In 1995, researchers cooled matter to near absolute zero and created a new form of matter called a Bose-Einstein condensate, in which the motion of electrons, protons, and everything else comes to a complete halt. Everything reaches a single state, called a quantum state, creating what's been called a "super atom."

The matter inside a gravastar would be akin to the Bose-Einstein condensate. It would exist in a vacuum, surrounded by an ultra-thin, ultra-cold, ultra-dark bubble, hence the name gra (vitational) va (cuum) star, or gravastar
."

Those conditions don't seem to fit the conditions we observe in our universe.
 
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  • #3
I believe the article states that the boundary is the phase of matter that represents the bose-einstein condensate.

However regardless, there are still numerous problems with the universe being inside a gravastar. I would suspect matter would need to be flying apart far faster than it is if it was being pushed to the ultra thin bubble.
 
  • #4
I assumed they meant the universe was a four dimensional gravastar with three dimensional space being the thin shell.
 
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1. What are gravastars?

Gravastars are theoretical objects that are proposed as an alternative to black holes. They are hypothesized to have a thick and rigid "crust" surrounding a dense core, instead of the singularity found in black holes.

2. How do gravastars differ from black holes?

Gravastars differ from black holes in several ways. They have a solid surface instead of an event horizon, and their gravitational pull is weaker due to the thick crust. They also do not have a singularity at their core, but instead have a dense, exotic matter that prevents the formation of one.

3. Why are gravastars being studied as potential replacements for black holes?

Gravastars are being studied as potential replacements for black holes because they offer a solution to some of the problems and paradoxes associated with black holes. They also provide a new way to test the theories of general relativity and quantum mechanics.

4. What evidence supports the existence of gravastars?

Currently, there is no direct evidence for the existence of gravastars. However, some observations of compact objects in space, such as neutron stars, could potentially be explained by the presence of gravastars instead of black holes. Further research and observations are needed to confirm their existence.

5. What implications could the existence of gravastars have on our understanding of the universe?

If gravastars are proven to exist, it could have significant implications on our understanding of the universe and the laws of physics. It could challenge our current understanding of black holes, gravity, and the fundamental nature of space and time. It could also open up new avenues for research and potentially lead to a better understanding of the universe.

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