Investigation of the problem of singularities in general relativity

Recently Addy and Datta have obtained a linearized solution for isentropic motions of a perfect fluid by assigning Cauchy data on the hypersurfacex⁴=0 and by imposing a restriction on the equation of state. In the present paper we pursue this study and discuss the problem of singularities from the standpoint of a local observer for which a singularity is defined as a state with an infinite proper rest mass density. It is shown that for a closed universe with any distribution of matter whatsoever there occurred a singularity in the past in the nonrotating parts of the universe and it must recur in the future. Furthermore, the collapse of a rotating fluid to a singularity seems inevitable when the relativistic equation of state is considered.