Rivers & whirlpools of spacetime

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In summary, the conversation discusses the existence of rivers and whirlpools in spacetime, which can deform and accelerate in various ways. The concept of frame-dragging is mentioned as an example of a whirlpool, while the possibility of rivers is considered more difficult to imagine. The idea of superluminal acceleration is brought up, but doubted due to the lack of a limit on the velocity of spacetime. The conversation ends with a Star Trek reference.
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Loren Booda
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Do rivers (conduits) or whirlpools (sinks and sources) of spacetime exist, which deform as linear, spiral or chaotic flow, eventually accelerate superluminally relative to nearby spacetime?
 
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"Spacetime" is a coordinate system.

- Warren
 
  • #3
...whose topology can deform in time and space like the above-mentioned "river" or "whirlpool." I asked whether sheared or chiral spacetime may develop singularities spontaneously from their displaced geometry.
 
  • #4
Originally posted by Loren Booda
Do rivers (conduits) or whirlpools (sinks and sources) of spacetime exist, which deform as linear, spiral or chaotic flow, eventually accelerate superluminally relative to nearby spacetime?

Regarding "whirlpools" I would say, yes. I think that is exactly what frame-dragging is.

"Rivers" are a little more difficult to imagine a cause for, but I suppose that they might exist. As for accelerating superluminally, I highly doubt it.
 
  • #5
Originally posted by Loren Booda
Do rivers (conduits) or whirlpools (sinks and sources) of spacetime exist, which deform as linear, spiral or chaotic flow, eventually accelerate superluminally relative to nearby spacetime?
Well, they say there's no actual limmit on the
"velocity" of space-time itself, so why not ?

Live long and prosper.
 

What are rivers and whirlpools of spacetime?

Rivers and whirlpools of spacetime refer to the bending and warping of space and time caused by massive objects, such as planets, stars, and black holes. According to Einstein's theory of general relativity, these objects create a gravitational field that affects the fabric of spacetime, causing it to curve and flow like a river or whirlpool.

How do rivers and whirlpools of spacetime impact the movement of objects?

The curvature of spacetime caused by rivers and whirlpools affects the way objects move through space. Objects will follow the path of least resistance, which is determined by the curvature of spacetime. This is why planets and other objects in our solar system orbit around the sun, which creates a large river of spacetime.

Can we observe rivers and whirlpools of spacetime?

Yes, we can indirectly observe the effects of rivers and whirlpools of spacetime through the phenomenon of gravitational lensing. This occurs when the curvature of spacetime bends light from distant objects, making them appear distorted or magnified. This has been observed and studied by scientists, providing evidence for the existence of rivers and whirlpools of spacetime.

Do all objects in the universe create rivers and whirlpools of spacetime?

Yes, all objects with mass create some level of curvature in spacetime. However, the larger and more massive the object, the stronger the gravitational field and the greater the impact on spacetime. This is why massive objects like black holes have such a significant impact on the curvature of spacetime.

Could rivers and whirlpools of spacetime be used for time travel?

No, while the concept of time travel is often associated with the bending of spacetime, it is currently not possible to use rivers and whirlpools of spacetime for time travel. The laws of physics do not currently allow for backwards time travel, and even if they did, the extreme forces near rivers and whirlpools of spacetime would make it nearly impossible for a human to survive the journey.

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