Astrolunch - 6th August

Jane MacGibbon (University of North Florida): Generalized Entropy Constraints on Varying Fundamental Constants

The maximum theoretically allowed variation in the electronic charge found by applying the generalized Second Law of Thermodynamics to black holes accreting and emitting in the present cosmic microwave background is de/dt of approximately 10-23 e per second. This matches the claimed variation in the fine structure constant observed in the absorption lines in the spectra of distant quasars. Why?