Is time enough in order to know where you are?

TL;DR

This paper explores the emergence of time and gravity from space-time's microscopic structure, proposing a new elastic-like model and a global positioning method using electromagnetic signals from celestial sources.

Contribution

It introduces a novel elastic deformation energy approach to explain space-time rigidity and the emergence of time, along with a practical navigation method using pulsar signals.

Findings

Space-time's structure can be modeled with elastic deformation energy.

Gravity emerges from microscopic space-time properties.

A global positioning method using celestial electromagnetic signals is proposed.

Abstract

This talk discusses various aspects of the structure of space-time presenting mechanisms leading to the explanation of the "rigidity" of the manifold and to the emergence of time, i.e. of the Lorentzian signature. The proposed ingredient is the analog, in four dimensions, of the deformation energy associated with the common threedimensional elasticity theory. The inclusion of this additional term in the Lagrangian of empty space-time accounts for gravity as an emergent feature from the microscopic structure of space-time. Once time has legitimately been introduced, a global positioning method based on local measurements of proper times between the arrivals of electromagnetic pulses from independent distant sources is presented. The method considers both pulsars as well as artificial emitters located on celestial bodies of the solar system as pulsating beacons to be used for navigation and positioning.