White dwarf luminosity in a scale covariant theory of gravity.
Abstract
Summary. The scale covariant theory of Canuto et al. (1977), which connects dynamical equations expressed in the Einstein and atomic systems of units has a gauge function (x) which must be specified independently. As an alternative to the standard theory where fl(x) is assumed to be constant, Dirac 5 Large Numbers Hypothesis (LNH) with additive or multiplicative creation may also be used to determine (x). Previous computations of stellar evolution, with (x) determined . the LNH, do not support additive creation but support multiplicative creation. However, a rough calculation to determine the effect of multiplicative creation on the luminosity of a white dwarf (Stothers, 1976) resulted in a lower bound to the luminosity which was at least an order of magnitude higher than observed luminosities. The present paper examines this lower bound to the luminosity in detail, and the results do not support Stothers' conclusion, thereby preserving the viability of multiplicative creation as an alternative to the standard theory. Key words: white dwarf - scale covariant theory
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- July 1979
- Bibcode:
- 1979A&A....76..212L
- Keywords:
-
- Covariance;
- Gravitation Theory;
- Stellar Luminosity;
- White Dwarf Stars;
- Relativity;
- Stellar Evolution;
- Astrophysics;
- Gravitation:White Dwarfs;
- Luminosities:White Dwarfs