Due presunti ‘giganti’ al di là di Plutone

Nonostante esistano dei dubbi sull’esistenza di un “pianeta X” al di là di Plutone, oggi le incertezze sembrano svanite perchè secondo un gruppo di ricercatori spagnoli ci sarebbero ben due pianeti super giganti “nascosti”, per così dire, nelle regioni più esterne del nostro Sistema Solare.

Pubblicità

Gliese 710, una stella che sfreccia verso il Sole

Gliese 710, at center, is a relatively dim, orange-red or red dwarf star. (See a 2MASS Survey image of Gliese 710 from the NASA Star and Exoplanet Database

Quasi certamente sfiorerà le regioni più esterne del Sistema Solare deviando possibilmente le comete della nube di Oort verso le zone più interne del nostro sistema planetario. Ma non sarà a breve. Vadim Bobylev dell’osservatorio Pulkovo di San Pietroburgo, in Russia, ha realizzato una serie di calcoli per determinare la velocità e le traiettorie delle stelle più vicine utilizzando i dati del satellite Hipparcos dell’ESA e di alcuni telescopi sparsi sul globo. Lo scienziato russo ha identificato almeno quattro oggetti che si troveranno a circa 9,5 anni-luce dalla Terra.

Is our Universe math based?

La recente scoperta del bosone di Higgs, o di una particella che gli assomiglia tanto, è stata prevista allo stesso modo con cui è stato scoperto Nettuno e le onde radio: la matematica. Una volta Galileo affermò che il nostro Universo è una grande libro scritto nel linguaggio della matematica. Dunque, la domanda è: come mai l’Universo sembra avere una struttura matematica e cosa vuol dire? Nel suo libro “Our Mathematical Universe: My Quest for the Ultimate Nature of Reality“, edito da Knopf, il cosmologo Max Tegmark tenta di spiegare il perchè l’Universo non sia esattamente descritto dalla matematica ma che invece sia la matematica stessa un ‘gigantesco oggetto matematico’ nel quale tutti noi facciamo parte integrante e che è a sua volta immerso in una struttura ancora più grande, insomma un multiverso così immenso che rende l’esistenza degli altri universi quasi insignificante a confronto.

Max Tegmark leads us on an astonishing journey through past, present and future, and through the physics, astronomy and mathematics that are the foundation of his work, most particularly his hypothesis that our physical reality is a mathematical structure and his theory of the ultimate multiverse. In a dazzling combination of both popular and groundbreaking science, he not only helps us grasp his often mind-boggling theories, but he also shares with us some of the often surprising triumphs and disappointments that have shaped his life as a scientist. Fascinating from first to last, this is a book that has already prompted the attention and admiration of some of the most prominent scientists and mathematicians.

“Our Mathematical Universe boldly confronts one of the deepest questions at the fertile interface of physics and philosophy: why is mathematics so spectacularly successful at describing the cosmos? Through lively writing and wonderfully accessible explanations, Max Tegmark—one of the world’s leading theoretical physicists—guides the reader to a possible answer, and reveals how, if it’s right, our understanding of reality itself would be radically altered.” —Prof. Brian Greene, physicist, author of The Elegant Universe and The Hidden Reality.

“Daring, Radical. Innovative. A game changer. If Dr. Tegmark is correct, this represents a paradigm shift in the relationship between physics and mathematics, forcing us to rewrite our textbooks. A must read for anyone deeply concerned about our Universe.” —Prof. Michio Kaku, author of Physics of the Future.

“Tegmark offers a fresh and fascinating perspective on the fabric of physical reality and life itself. He helps us see ourselves in a cosmic context that highlights the grand opportunities for the future of life in our Universe.” —Ray Kurzweil, author of The Singularity is Near.

“Readers of varied backgrounds will enjoy this book. Almost anyone will find something to learn here, much to ponder, and perhaps something to disagree with.” —Prof. Edward Witten, physicist, Fields Medalist & Milner Laureate.

“This inspirational book written by a true expert presents an explosive mixture of physics, mathematics and philosophy which may alter your views on reality.” —Prof. Andrei Linde, physicist, Gruber & Milner Laureate for development of inflationary cosmology.

“Galileo famously said that the Universe is written in the language of mathematics. Now Max Tegmark says that the universe IS mathematics. You don’t have to necessarily agree, to enjoy this fascinating journey into the nature of reality.” —Prof. Mario Livio, astrophysicist, author of Brilliant Blunders and Is God a Mathematician?

“Scientists and lay aficionados alike will find Tegmark’s book packed with information and very thought provoking. You may recoil from his thesis, but nearly every page will make you wish you could debate the issues face—to—face with him.” —Prof. Julian Barbour, physicist, author of The End of Time.

“In Our Mathematical Universe, renowned cosmologist Max Tegmark takes us on a whirlwind tour of the Universe, past, present—and other. With lucid language and clear examples, Tegmark provides us with the master measure of not only of our cosmos, but of all possible universes. The Universe may be lonely, but it is not alone.” —Prof. Seth Lloyd, Professor of quantum mechanical engineering, MIT, author of Programming the Universe.

“Max Tegmark leads his readers, clearly and accessibly, right to the frontiers of speculative cosmology —and indeed far beyond.” —Prof. Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal, cosmology pioneer, author of Our Final Hour.

“A lucid, engaging account of the various many—universes theories of fundamental physics that are currently being considered, from the multiverse of quantum theory to Tegmark’s own grand vision.” —Prof. David Deutsch, physicist, Dirac Laureate for pioneering quantum computing.

Scientific American: Is the Universe Made of Math?

arXiv: The Mathematical Universe