Wormholes in Space

[Sindri]

Originally Posted by lwcamp

It is possible. It is suspected (although not proven) that any configuration of space-time that allows time-travel paradoxes is unstable due to quantum fluctuations. Think of it this way - a quantum fluctuation can propagate around the same closed curve to arrive back where it started, thus amplifying itself. This gives you a resonator that drives these virtual excitations to very large amplitudes, which then destroys your time machine. Any wormhole or configuration of wormholes that would allow you to shoot yourself in the back of the head would destroy itself before it could form.

What is left are space-time configurations that cannot loop back on themselves to the same place and time. This prevents paradoxes.

Wormholes always allow a limited form of time travel - they connect one location in space and time to another location in space and time, and the two times do not necessarily need to have the same coordinate measure. But if the wormholes are far enough separated in space, such that a light speed signal cannot get from one to the other in less time than the time jump when going between them, there is no paradox and none of the disturbing issues you get from unlimited time travel.

Luke

I've heard about the chronology protection conjecture. It's very convenient!

So we avoid the important variety of time travel by having a time jump as well as a spatial jump, is that right?

How does this interact with multiple stops? Would it require something like a central hub that everything goes from or can you link it up more?

Is travel through a wormhole instantaneous or can there be travel time from the perspective of the traveller?