| cosmological constant | astronomical constant | | A parameter that determines the strength of the cosmological term in the equations of general relativity. This term was added by Einstein because he thought the universe was static, and the term provided a repulsive gravitational force that was needed to prevent the universe from collapsing under the force of ordinary gravity. The false vacuum of inflationary models creates a similar repulsive gravitational force, except that it prevails for only a brief period in the early universe. The cosmological constant is often assumed to be zero, but it might make a significant contribution to the evolution equations of our universe. |
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