On hierarchical cosmology

Abstract

Progress in laboratory studies of plasmas and in the methods of transferring the results to cosmic conditions, together with in situ measurements in the magnetospheres, are now causing a 'paradigm transition' in cosmic plasma physics. This involves an introduction of inhomogeneous models with double layers, filaments, 'cell walls', etc. Independently, it has been discovered that the mass distribution in the universe is highly inhomogeneous; indeed, hierarchical. According to de Vaucouleurs, the escape velocity of cosmic structures is 102-103 times below the Laplace-Schwarzschild limit, leaving a void region which is identified as a key problem in cosmology. It is shown that a plasma instability in the dispersed medium of the structures may produce this void and, hence, explain the hierarchical structure. The energy which is necessary may derive either from gravitation or from annihilation caused by a breakdown of cell walls. The latter alternative is discussed in detail. It leads to a 'Fireworks Model' of the evolution of the metagalaxy. It is questioned whether the homogeneous four-dimensional big bang model can survive in an universe which is inhomogeneous and three-dimensional. © 1983 D. Reidel Publishing Co.