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Relativity and the Question of Discretization in Astronomy

  • Book
  • © 1970

Overview

Authors:
  1. Dominic G. B. Edelen

    1. Center for the Application of Mathematics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, USA

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  2. Albert G. Wilson

    1. Department of Astronomy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA

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    You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Part of the book series: Springer Tracts in Natural Philosophy (STPHI, volume 20)

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Table of contents (6 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages I-XII
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  2. Prologue

    1. Prologue

      • Dominic G. B. Edelen, Albert G. Wilson
      Pages 1-8

  3. Theoretical Considerations

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 9-9
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    2. The Environment for Cosmic Structures

      • Dominic G. B. Edelen, Albert G. Wilson
      Pages 10-44

    3. An Equilibrium Theory of Galactic Isopleths

      • Dominic G. B. Edelen, Albert G. Wilson
      Pages 45-74

    4. Galactic Morphology and Scale

      • Dominic G. B. Edelen, Albert G. Wilson
      Pages 75-105

  4. Observational Considerations

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 106-106
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    2. Observational Problems of Macroscale Discretization

      • Dominic G. B. Edelen, Albert G. Wilson
      Pages 107-115

    3. Observational Evidence for Discretization Phenomena

      • Dominic G. B. Edelen, Albert G. Wilson
      Pages 117-156

  5. Back Matter

    Pages 157-187
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Keywords

About this book

Theoretical researches in general relativity and observational data from galactic astronomy combine in this volume in contributions to one of the oldest questions of natural philosophy: Is the structure of the physical world more adequately described by a continuous or a discrete mode of representation? Since the days of the Pythagoreans, this question has surfaced from time to time in various guises in science as well as in philosophy. One of the most bitterly contested and illuminating controversies between the continuous and the discrete viewpoints is to be found in the wave versus corpuscular description of optical phenomยญ enae. This controversy was not resolved to the satisfaction of most of its protaganists until the development of the quantum theory. However, several obscurities that still becloud the question suggest that some deeper formulation may be necessary before more satisfactory answers can be given 1. The firm establishment of the validity of quantized structure and discrete energy distributions on the atomic scale following the ideas of Max Planck, together with the apparent absence of quanยญ tization effect in astronomical and cosmic structures leaves uncertainties concerning the role played by the scale of the observer in perceiving or not perceiving discrete distributions. Some of the metaphysical interยญ pretations and implications of the quantum mechanics that have been made in recent years 2 would be subject to revision if the existence of discretized descriptions were to be established in astronomical and cosmic structures.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Center for the Application of Mathematics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, USA

    Dominic G. B. Edelen

  • Department of Astronomy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA

    Albert G. Wilson

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