We investigate the line element of spacetime around a linear cosmic string in the presence of a cosmological constant. We obtain a static form of the metric and argue that it should be discarded because of asymptotic considerations. Then a time dependent and consistent form of the metric is obtained and its properties are discussed. This may be considered an example of a preferred frame in physics.

• Received 30 December 2002

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.67.103504