What are the properties of de Sitter space?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the properties of de Sitter space, particularly its nature as a theoretical construct, its eternal characteristics, and its relevance to contemporary physics, including its relation to gravitational waves and multiverse theories.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether de Sitter space is eternal and its implications in relation to gravitational waves and multiverse theories.
  • Another participant describes de Sitter space as a static and eternal space characterized by a positive cosmological constant, but notes it does not accurately describe the real universe due to the presence of matter.
  • A participant raises the question of whether de Sitter space is purely theoretical and how its existence can be verified.
  • Another participant argues that all space is a theoretical construct and suggests that de Sitter relativity may represent a new framework for understanding spacetime in the absence of gravitating matter, contrasting it with Minkowski spacetime.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the theoretical nature of de Sitter space and its implications, with no consensus reached regarding its status as a representation of reality or its practical applications.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the limitations of de Sitter space as a model for the real universe, emphasizing the role of matter and the cosmological constant in shaping spacetime. The discussion remains open regarding the verification of its existence.

momo666
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I am having a hard time finding information that I can understand on de Sitter space. One main question I have is if it is eternal.

Also, does the recent discovery of gravitational waves have any impact on it? I've seen mentions of de Sitter space in multiverse theories.
 
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1. De Sitter space is a space with no matter or radiation and a positive cosmological constant. This kind of space is static and eternal. It doesn't, however, describe the real universe, as the real universe has matter in it. But it may be a decent approximation of the far future of our universe.
2. The direct detection of gravity waves has no impact on this question.
 
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Is this space purely theoretical? How do we know it exists?
 
momo666 said:
Is this space purely theoretical? How do we know it exists?
It's a purely theoretical construct.
 
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momo666 said:
Is this space purely theoretical? How do we know it exists?
Well, all space is "purely theoretical". It's a construct that's useful for organizing perceived events.

As for de Sitter spacetime, some people advocate that de Sitter relativity should be the new "special relativity in the 21st century". Whereas Minkowski spacetime used to be regarded as what you get when there's no gravitating matter, the existence of a nonzero cosmological constant suggests that the correct spacetime with "no gravitating matter" is de Sitter, not Minkowski.

YMMV.
 
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