Wednesday, January 25, 2006

New Theory of Gravity May Dispense of Dark Matter

A modified theory of gravity that incorporates quantum effects can explain a trio of puzzling astronomical observations: large scale structures, the horzon problem and the Pioneer anomaly.

The theory, called scalar-tensor-vector gravity (STVG), adds quantum effects to Einstein's theory of general relativity such that quantum fluctuations can affect the force felt between interacting objects. It does depend on a hypothetical particle called a graviton – which mediates gravity – appears in large numbers out of the vacuum of space in regions crowded with massive objects such as stars.

Any theory of gravity must explain the development of large-scale structures in the universe, and most importantly, the afterglow of the big bang called the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation (see "#2 Horizon Problem" of "13 things that do not make sense").

I am going to keep my eye on STVG, as it may offer a viable alternative to Big Bang Inflation theories of the variations in the speed of light and other universal "constants".

2 comments:

  1. Riiiiiiggghttt..... ;)

    Note to self: skip posts tagged "GEEK." It's a foreign language I don't speak!

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  2. Well, you may want to skim them, though? :-)

    The problem with wanting to say something geeky is trying to say it in a few words. Ah, well... I really am quite excited about this, but it is hard to communicate.

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