Definition of observer and time measured by different observers in general relativity

Question

An observer in general relativity is defined as a future directed timelike worldline \begin{align*} \gamma:I \subset \mathbb R &\to M \\ \lambda &\mapsto \gamma(\lambda) \end{align*} together with an orthonormal basis $e_a(\lambda) \in T_{\gamma(\lambda)}M$ where $e_0(\lambda)= v_{\gamma, \gamma(\lambda)}$ and \begin{align} g(\gamma(\lambda))(e_a(\lambda),e_b(\lambda))=\eta_{ab}~. \qquad (1) \end{align} Here, $v_{\gamma, \gamma(\lambda)}$ is the velocity of the worldline $\gamma$ at the point $\gamma(\lambda)\in M$ and $g$ is the metric tensor field on $M$. The time measured by the clock carried by this observer between events $\lambda_0, \lambda_1$ is defined as \begin{align} \tau_\gamma = \int_{\lambda_0}^{\lambda_1} d\lambda \sqrt{g(v_{\gamma, \gamma(\lambda)},v_{\gamma, \gamma(\lambda)})}~. \end{align} However, \begin{align} g(v_{\gamma, \gamma(\lambda)},v_{\gamma, \gamma(\lambda)}) = g(e_0(\lambda),e_0(\lambda))=1 \qquad (2) \end{align} which follows from the requirement of eq.(1). We are using signature $(+,-,-,-)$.

This is all standard definition. Suppose, we have another observer $\delta$: \begin{align*} \delta:I \subset \mathbb R &\to M \\ \lambda &\mapsto \delta(\lambda) \end{align*} and the time measured by his clock between the same two events $\lambda_0, \lambda_1$ is \begin{align} \tau_\delta = \int_{\lambda_0}^{\lambda_1} d\lambda \sqrt{g(v_{\delta, \delta(\lambda)},v_{\delta, \delta(\lambda)})}~. \end{align} From equations (1) and (2), we get $\tau_\gamma = \tau_\delta$ and this will be true for all observers measuring time between $\lambda_0, \lambda_1$.

However, I know that my conclusion is wrong. Can you point out where I went astray?

Edit: I am trying to make the situation I am referring to clearer. $\gamma(\lambda)$ and $\delta(\lambda)$ meeting at points $p,q \in M$">

(Sorry for this huge picture. I wanted to make it smaller, but couldn't figure out how to go about it.) This picture shows the two observers $\gamma$ and $\delta$ defined above. Both worldlines are parameterised by the same parameter $\lambda$. This need not be the case but I choose it to convey my point. I wish to determine the proper time measured by observers $\gamma$ and $\delta$ between events $p$ and $q$ in the spacetime manifold $M$. \begin{align} p =& \ \gamma(\lambda_1) = \delta(\lambda_1) \\ q =& \ \gamma(\lambda_2) = \delta(\lambda2) \end{align} This scenario is possible, isn't it? I do not see why $\tau_\gamma$ and $\tau_\delta$ need to be the same. (In fact, in the twin paradox, for example, we see this explicitly.) However, from equation (1) and the deduction above, it follows that $\tau_\gamma = \tau_\delta$. This is my confusion.

Note From the definition of an observer in general relativity, the observer worldline seems to be always parameterised by its propertime. But the propertime measured by two observers between the same two events need not be the same, isn't it?

Answer 1

Your conclusion is correct, because what you are doing by saying that $g(v_{\gamma,\gamma(\lambda)},v_{\gamma,\gamma(\lambda)}) = 1$ is that the parameter $\lambda$ is exactly equal to proper time. You can have different parametrizations $\tilde{\lambda}$ of the curve $\gamma$ that have $g(v_{\gamma,\gamma(\tilde{\lambda})},v_{\gamma,\gamma(\tilde{\lambda})}) \neq 1$ and then, of course, they do not correspond to proper time of the observer on the curve.

Your conclusion from the OP just states that if you have two curves parametrized by proper time, then when they are evolved for the same amount of proper time, the same amount of proper time passes on them. A quite tautological statement!

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As concerns your edit:

When you state $$p = \gamma(\lambda_1) = \delta(\lambda_1)$$ $$q = \gamma(\lambda_2) = \delta(\lambda_2)$$ and impose the normalisation of the tangents $g(v_{\gamma,\gamma(\lambda)},v_{\gamma,\gamma(\lambda)}) = g(v_{\delta,\delta(\lambda)},v_{\delta,\delta(\lambda)}) = 1$, you are NOT choosing two general curves (worldlines) passing through $p,q$. Instead, you are choosing two curves for which the same amount of proper time passes between $p,q$.

Perhaps you should consider a concrete example. Choose a space-time such as Minkowski and two randomly chosen curves $\gamma, \delta$ on it that have an arbitrary parametrization $\gamma(\tilde{\lambda}_\gamma), \delta(\tilde{\lambda}_\delta)$ and that meet at some events $p,q$. Now find the proper-time parametrisation $\lambda$ along the entire curves $g(v_{\gamma,\gamma(\lambda)},v_{\gamma,\gamma(\lambda)}) = g(v_{\delta,\delta(\lambda)},v_{\delta,\delta(\lambda)}) = 1$, this can be recast as two first-order differential equations for the functions $\lambda(\tilde{\lambda}_{\gamma,\delta})$. Each of the two differential equations have a unique solution up to a single integration constant. By setting $p = \gamma(\lambda_1) = \delta(\lambda_1)$, you specify both of these integration constants. So, you do not have any freedom to set the same condition for $\lambda_2$ at $q$ because there is no freedom in the solution left and the value of $\lambda$ at $q$ will be generally different for each of the curves. $\blacksquare$

Answer 2

I am just answering my question in a way that is more transparent to me. There is no extra information here compared to the accepted answer or comments therein.

The definition of an observer $(\gamma, e)$ is given in the OP. By definition, the worldline of the observer is a curve with unit speed i.e., \begin{align} g(v_{\gamma, \gamma(\lambda)},v_{\gamma, \gamma(\lambda)}) = 1~. \qquad (1) \end{align} This implies that the curve is parameterised by its arc length parameter. The proper time that an observer $(\gamma,e)$ measures between two events $p=\gamma(\lambda=a)$ and $q=\gamma(\lambda=b)$ in spacetime is, \begin{align} \tau_\gamma &= \int_{a}^{b} d\lambda \sqrt{g(v_{\gamma, \gamma(\lambda)},v_{\gamma, \gamma(\lambda)})} \\ &= \int_{a}^{b} d\lambda~. \end{align} So, any two observers whose arc length (or proper time) parameters increase by the same amount between the events $p$ and $q$ will measure the same proper time interval. (Naturally, observers whose arc length parameters change by different amounts between $p$ and $q$ will measure different proper time intervals.)

Note: Suppose, we relax the requirement of eq. (1) of having a unit speed worldline on the observer. So, we are allowed to reparameterise the observer worldline by some arbitrary parameter. Now, the length of a curve $\gamma$, \begin{align} L[\gamma] = \int_{a}^{b} d\lambda \sqrt{g(v_{\gamma, \gamma(\lambda)},v_{\gamma, \gamma(\lambda)})}~. \end{align} is invariant under reparameterisation. This means that, given a smooth curve \begin{align} \gamma:I \to M \end{align} if \begin{align} \sigma:\tilde{I} \to I \end{align} is smooth, bijective and increasing then \begin{align} L[\gamma]=L[\gamma \circ \sigma]~. \end{align} Owing to this, the proper time interval between the spacetime events $p$ and $q$ will be same also along the reparameterised curve $(\gamma \circ \sigma)$.