title: Varying constants.
abstract: We review properties of theories for the variation of gravitation and fine structure 'constants'. We highlight some general features of the cosmological models that exist in these theories with reference to recent quasar data that are consistent with time variation in the fine structure constant since a redshift of 3.5. The behaviour of a simple class of varying-alpha cosmologies is outlined in the light of all the observational constraints.
authors.affiliation: DAMTP, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Cambridge University, Cambridge CB3 0WA, UK. j.d.barrow@damtp.cam.ac.uk
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Barrow
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003198:Computer Simulation; D007394:International System of Units / Q000592:standards*; D038622:Internationality; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010825:Physics / Q000592:standards*; D011789:Quantum Theory; D012015:Reference Standards; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012586:Science / Q000592:standards*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity