Linear model uniquely implies a boundary to our Universe?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the implications of the Hubble radius (R) in a linearly expanding Universe, defined by the equation R(t) = c / H(t), where H(t) is the Hubble parameter. It is established that objects beyond the Hubble radius recede faster than light, creating a boundary that is unique to a linearly expanding Universe. The conversation highlights that if the Hubble radius were stationary in co-moving coordinates, a true cosmological event horizon would exist, but this is not the case in a linearly expanding model. The participants clarify that in such a model, no matter crosses the Hubble boundary, contrasting it with other models like de Sitter expansion.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Hubble's Law and the Hubble parameter (H(t))
  • Familiarity with cosmological models, particularly linear and de Sitter models
  • Knowledge of scale factors in cosmology (a(t))
  • Concept of event horizons in accelerating spacetimes
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of the Hubble radius in cosmological models
  • Study the concept of event horizons in accelerating Universes
  • Explore the mathematical derivations of Hubble's Law and its applications
  • Investigate the phenomenon of shell crossing in Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) spacetimes
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, cosmologists, and physics students interested in the dynamics of the Universe and the implications of cosmological boundaries.

johne1618
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The Hubble radius R is defined by:

R(t) = c / H(t)

where H(t) is the Hubble parameter which is a function of time.

Objects beyond the Hubble radius are receeding from us faster than the velocity of light.

At first glance one would think that light from those objects can never reach us. However the Hubble radius generally moves relative to the Universal expansion so that objects that were inside or outside the Hubble radius at a particular time move outside or inside at a later time.

If the Hubble radius was stationary in co-moving cordinates then there would be a true cosmological event horizon at that distance separating objects within our Universe from those outside it for all time.

For this to be true

R(t) \propto a(t)

where a(t) is the scale factor.

Thus

\frac{1}{H(t)} \propto a(t)

Now we have

H(t) = \frac{\dot{a}}{a}

Therefore we get

\frac{a(t)}{\dot{a}(t)} \propto a(t)

This implies

\dot{a}(t) \propto 1

Therefore

a(t) \propto t

So a linearly expanding Universe is unique because it has a true "impermeable" boundary at its Hubble radius.

Have I got this right?
 
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If the Hubble radius was stationary in co-moving cordinates then there would be a true cosmological event horizon at that distance separating objects within our Universe from those outside it for all time.
No, this would be the case if it was at a constant cosmological proper distance, 1/H=const.
What you're describing is a freely coasting universe, with the empty universe as a special case.
 
As Ich said in de Sitter expansion horizon is constant in time. You are describing empty universe, where H=1/t, therefore Rh=ct, so Hubble radius is growing at the speed of light and eventually all objects in the universe will be in causal contact. Cosmological event horizon is a feature of accelerated spacetimes only!
 
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I guess I shouldn't use the term "cosmological event horizon".

But I still think that the linearly expanding Universe is unique in that it has a true boundary at the Hubble radius acting as an "edge" to the Universe. In the linear model no matter ever crosses this boundary in either direction.

This is in contrast to, say, the de Sitter model where matter is constantly crossing out of the boundary at the (constant) Hubble radius.
 
In the linear model no matter ever crosses this boundary in either direction.
Great. But:
In every (ideal) FRW-spacetime, no matter ever crosses any comoving sphere. The Hubble-sphere in the linearly expanding model is just one example.
Google "shell crossing", that's something you don't want to have for your model to be well-behaved.
 
Hi,

Sorry everyone!

I now understand that one can only have an event horizon in an accelerating Universe.

John
 
I always thought it was odd that we know dark energy expands our universe, and that we know it has been increasing over time, yet no one ever expressed a "true" size of the universe (not "observable" universe, the ENTIRE universe) by just reversing the process of expansion based on our understanding of its rate through history, to the point where everything would've been in an extremely small region. The more I've looked into it recently, I've come to find that it is due to that "inflation"...

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