TY - JOUR
T1 - A larger estimate of the entropy of the universe
AU - Egan, Chas A.
AU - Lineweaver, Charles H.
PY - 2010
Y1 - 2010
N2 - Using recent measurements of the supermassive black hole (SMBH) mass function, we find that SMBHs are the largest contributor to the entropy of the observable universe, contributing at least an order of magnitude more entropy than previously estimated. The total entropy of the observable universe is correspondingly higher, and is Sobs = 3.1+3.0 -1.7 × 10104 k. We calculate the entropy of the current cosmic event horizon to be SCEH = 2.6±0.3 × 10122 k, dwarfing the entropy of its interior, SCEH int = 1.2+1.1-0.7 × 10103k. We make the first tentative estimate of the entropy of weakly interacting massive particle dark matter within the observable universe, Sdm = 1088±1 k. We highlight several caveats pertaining to these estimates and make recommendations for future work.
AB - Using recent measurements of the supermassive black hole (SMBH) mass function, we find that SMBHs are the largest contributor to the entropy of the observable universe, contributing at least an order of magnitude more entropy than previously estimated. The total entropy of the observable universe is correspondingly higher, and is Sobs = 3.1+3.0 -1.7 × 10104 k. We calculate the entropy of the current cosmic event horizon to be SCEH = 2.6±0.3 × 10122 k, dwarfing the entropy of its interior, SCEH int = 1.2+1.1-0.7 × 10103k. We make the first tentative estimate of the entropy of weakly interacting massive particle dark matter within the observable universe, Sdm = 1088±1 k. We highlight several caveats pertaining to these estimates and make recommendations for future work.
KW - Black hole physics
KW - Cosmology: miscellaneous
KW - Diffusion
KW - Elementary particles
KW - Gravitation
KW - Neutrinos
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77149171447&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1088/0004-637X/710/2/1825
DO - 10.1088/0004-637X/710/2/1825
M3 - Article
SN - 0004-637X
VL - 710
SP - 1825
EP - 1834
JO - Astrophysical Journal
JF - Astrophysical Journal
IS - 2
ER -