Exotic Smoothness and Astrophysics

Understand

The problem of possible astrophysical consequences of the existence of exotic differential structures on manifolds is discussed.

• It is argued that corrections to the curvature of the form of a source like terms should be expected in the Einstein equations if they are written in the "wrong" differential structure.
• Examples of topologically trivial spaces on which exotic differential structures act as a source of gravitational force even in the absence of matter are given.
• Propagation of light in the presence of such phenomena is also discussed.