The apparent fractal conjecture: Scaling features in standard cosmologies (Q5959862)

Cosmology, like physical astronomy, is often based on some simplifying assumptions in order to compare theory and observations. The issue of the scale where the matter distribution in the universe would become observationally smooth involves that kind of simplifying assumptions. The central issue lies in the problem of how one can observationally characterize cosmological density. For that purpose it is usually assumed that relativistic corrections can be neglected in cosmology at redshift ranges where distance and redshift follow a linear relation, namely the Hubble law. The linearity of the redshift-distance relation is known to be valid at small and moderate redshift ranges. The paper under review presents an analysis of the smoothness problem in cosmology by focussing on the ambiguities originated in the simplifying hypotheses aimed at observationally verifying if the large-scale distribution of galaxies is homogeneous, and conjecturing that this distribution should follow a hierarchical, or fractal pattern in the sense of having a power-law type average density profile in perturbed standard cosmologies. This is due to a geometric effect appearing when certain types of average densities are calculated along the past light cone within the heavenly sphere [\textit{E. Binz} and \textit{W. Schempp}: Quantum holography and its symbols: A conceptual survey of symplectization. Manuscript (to appear)]. The initial suggestion that the universe could be constructed in a hierarchical manner dates back to the very beginnings of cosmology. Since then it has kept reappearing in the literature. After briefly reviewing the fractal debate it is shown in the paper how some key features of fractal cosmologies can be found in the Friedmannian models. In view of those findings, it is suggested that the so-called contradiction between the cosmological principle, and the galaxy distribution forming an unlimited fractal structure may not exist. Based on this thesis, the author's opinion is that the fractal debate may well overcome the orthodox view claiming that an observable homogenization is necessary to make sense of a Friedmann-Robertson-Walker universe. The overcoming seems to be possible only when the cosmological/astronomical community recognizes that relativistic effects and their consequences must be fully considered in observational cosmology. Provided these side conditions are satisfied, the author hopes that the reanimated fractal debate will become a more attractive topic.