- #1
asimov42
- 377
- 4
Hi folks,
In a followup to another thread about the recent controversial results by Webb et al. suggesting that the fine structure constant (alpha) varies across the visible universe, I was wondering:
Assuming the Webb et al. results are correct (a big assumption), would we be able to say anything about how alpha might be varying locally (at our local position in spacetime)? Do existing models which allow for a varying alpha place restrictions on how it may vary? Or would the only way to determine local spatial and temporal variations be by experiment? (Of course, any variation would have to be very small, given the bounds already established by experiments to date.)
Thanks.
J.
In a followup to another thread about the recent controversial results by Webb et al. suggesting that the fine structure constant (alpha) varies across the visible universe, I was wondering:
Assuming the Webb et al. results are correct (a big assumption), would we be able to say anything about how alpha might be varying locally (at our local position in spacetime)? Do existing models which allow for a varying alpha place restrictions on how it may vary? Or would the only way to determine local spatial and temporal variations be by experiment? (Of course, any variation would have to be very small, given the bounds already established by experiments to date.)
Thanks.
J.