On center of mass and foliations by constant spacetime mean curvature surfaces for isolated systems in general relativity (Q1981626)

The authors define a new total center of mass for an ``isolated system'': the ``Universe'' is a 4-dimensional Lorentzian manifold \((\mathfrak M^{1,3}, \mathfrak{g})\), endowed with an energy-momentum tensor field \(\mathfrak T\), with an ``initial data set'' given by a spacelike hypersuface \((M^3,g)\), with the second fundamental form \(K\), the scalar local energy density \(\mu\) and the (1-form) local momentum density \(J\). When this configuration is ``asymptotically Euclidean'' and with non-vanishing energy, it gives rise to a (unique) foliation by 2-spheres of constant spacetime mean curvature. This foliation is the main tool for constructing the total center of mass. It is shown that this center of mass behaves as a point particle in Special Relativity (i.e. it transforms equivariantly under the asymptotic Poincaré group of \({\mathfrak M^{1,3}}\)). In particular, it evolves in time under the Einstein evolution equations like a point particle in Special Relativity.