The Apparent Fractal Conjecture

TL;DR

This paper proposes that the apparent fractal patterns in galaxy distributions are due to a geometric effect related to observations along the past light cone, potentially resolving objections to fractal cosmology.

Contribution

It introduces a hypothesis linking observed cosmic fractals to light cone geometry, offering a new perspective on large-scale structure analysis.

Findings

Supports the idea that observed fractal structures may be a geometric effect.

Suggests standard cosmology could have zero average density under this hypothesis.

Proposes methods to test the conjecture's validity.

Abstract

This short communication advances the hypothesis that the observed fractal structure of large-scale distribution of galaxies is due to a geometrical effect, which arises when observational quantities relevant for the characterization of a cosmological fractal structure are calculated along the past light cone. If this hypothesis proves, even partially, correct, most, if not all, objections raised against fractals in cosmology may be solved. For instance, under this view the standard cosmology has zero average density, as predicted by an infinite fractal structure, with, at the same time, the cosmological principle remaining valid. The theoretical results which suggest this conjecture are reviewed, as well as possible ways of checking its validity.