An Alternative Universe
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3. Black Shells Replace Black Holes
4. Virtual Mass Replaces Dark Matter
This exploration of a quantized space and time was prompted by a 2011 conference organized by NASA and the Defense Advanced Project Agency to define technology developments needed for an inter-planetary starship launch within 100 years. They also asked for estimates of the science advances that might be encountered in an extraterrestrial civilization. With just a master's in electrical engineering (thesis topic: random noise) and a general background in space systems, I selected a very broad topic that I thought no specialist would attempt -- quantized spacetime as a possible alternative to our continuous space and time. It could provide a surprise on first encounter.
In fact, I found it offered so many new perspectives for our view of the universe that I missed the conference submission deadline by 12 years. Changing the structure of space and time affects every branch of science. Since no one person is familiar with every branch, this must be a preliminary exploration. There is a vast landscape to explore. Far vaster than exploring the solar system.
But the results are remarkable. Spacetime is pictured as made up of the smallest indivisible pieces of space and time. Each is a spacetime quantum, with the name indicating that space and time are joined in an indissoluble unity. Each quantum is a minute sphere, trillions and trillions of times smaller than the tiniest atoms. To describe the number of them I have to use math shorthand in which the number of zeros is given rather than filling the page with them. There may be 10185 spacetime quanta (1 followed by 185 zeros) in the observable universe.
The spheres are packed tightly together in a random fashion that nevertheless leaves interconnected gaps between them. These amount to a second universe about a third the size of the spacetime universe. It contains the 95% of the mass and energy of the combined universe that we had overlooked until 1998. But being outside the spacetime quanta it has no space or time dimensions, and so no mass or gravity. That’s why it took us a long time to recognize its presence. From the point of view of our 5% in spacetime, we are immersed in a region beyond space and time with no boundary. Which is a definition of eternity.
Spacetime quanta respond to intense gravitational fields by producing black holes encased entirely with a shell of photons, particles of light so cold they are black. And dark matter that provides the extra gravity speeding rotation of galaxies is neither matter nor dark. It is virtual mass from energy in the space between quanta that has received dimensions from empty quanta. The distribution of virtual mass matches that of empty space in our 5%.
Another property of quantized spacetime is nearer to us and more fundamental. The random particle paths in quantum theory assumed to be predictable only as probabilities are in fact following specific rules. It is the minute size and enormous number of particles that makes it impossible for prediction to be other than in terms of probabilities. But specific rules for the degree of randomness make evolution of biological species by random changes in genes successful.
The balance is set within quantized spacetime by the wave traveling with a particle carrying energy from place to place. The wave is enforcing laws of energy and momentum conservation for particles moving throughout the spacetime universe. The particle randomness in quantum theory that initially appeared arbitrary is controlled by a wave setting the exact degree of randomness required for stable biological evolution through random variation of species.
While there is a transcendental beauty in the mathematical symmetries of the physical universe, there is a source for awe in a controlled randomness evolving recognition of such symmetries by a sentient species.
At present, the leading theory of the universe in terms of its fundamental constituents is a mathematical theory called quantum wave theory. It is the outcome of intense research over the past century, treats particles as disturbances in waves, and has been shown to be accurate in some situations to 28 places of decimals. Quantized spacetime does not replace quantum wave theory. It offers an alternative physical theory that sees particles as fundamental and waves as arising from them.
The mathematics I have used to support this argument are rudimentary. In many cases I am arguing from analogy and intuition rather than from precise observations of the phenomena described: black holes and dark matter, for example. But the observations themselves are not precise. Achieving the present degree of accuracy for distant objects like stars and galaxies, or close ones like quarks and electrons, is already a marvel of technology, but is often far from the accuracy of the mathematical models. In the gaps there is room for an alternative explanation based on physical principles.
3. Black Shells Replace Black Holes
4. Virtual Mass Replaces Dark Matter
12/26/2022