Jayant Narlikar’s Hoyle-Narlikar Theory of Gravity
Jayant Narlikar, a prominent Indian astrophysicist, passed away on May 20, 2025. He was renowned for his contributions to theoretical physics, particularly the Hoyle-Narlikar theory of gravity. This theory, developed in collaboration with Fred Hoyle in 1964, sought to expand upon Albert Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity. It introduced novel concepts that challenged existing cosmological views.
Background of the Hoyle-Narlikar Theory
The Hoyle-Narlikar theory emerged from the desire to incorporate Mach’s principle into gravity. Mach’s principle asserts that the inertia of an object is influenced by its interaction with all other masses in the universe. While Einstein found inspiration in this principle, he could not fully integrate it into his theory. Narlikar and Hoyle took a more literal approach, claiming that mass and inertia arise from universal interactions.
Key Concepts of the Theory
Central to the Hoyle-Narlikar theory is the idea that no object exists in isolation. The gravity of celestial bodies is interdependent. For instance, the mass of the Earth is partly due to its relationship with the Sun and other cosmic entities. This interconnectedness suggests that a universe devoid of matter is inconceivable.
The Creation Field (C-field)
The theory also introduced the concept of a “creation field” or C-field. This hypothetical field is thought to generate negative energy, leading to the continuous creation of matter. This idea supports the steady-state cosmology, which posits that the universe has no beginning and will perpetually exist. In contrast to the Big Bang theory, steady-state cosmology suggests that new hydrogen atoms are constantly formed to fill the expanding universe.
Steady-State Cosmology vs. Big Bang Theory
The steady-state model proposed by Hoyle and Narlikar stands in opposition to the Big Bang theory, which asserts that the universe originated approximately 13 billion years ago. Proponents of the steady-state theory argued that if the universe were continuously expanding, it would appear empty. To counter this, they suggested that the C-field generates new matter to maintain cosmic density.
Challenges and Legacy
Despite its innovative ideas, the Hoyle-Narlikar theory faced criticism, particularly after the discovery of cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation in 1965. The CMB is considered a remnant of the Big Bang, providing strong evidence for that cosmological model. Nevertheless, the Hoyle-Narlikar theory remains noteworthy for its attempt to incorporate Mach’s principle into gravitational theory and its alternative perspective on the universe’s structure.
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