“Gravitational Anomaly Discovered in Star Systems Challenges Standard Model of Gravity”
In a groundbreaking study, a scientist has uncovered a puzzling “gravitational anomaly” that could potentially overturn a fundamental assumption about the universe. Kyu-Hyun Chae, an astronomer at Sejong University, conducted the research by analyzing the accelerations of stars in 26,500 wide binaries located within 650 light years of Earth, using data from the European Space Agency’s Gaia observatory.
Previous studies have hinted at the presence of modified gravity in these star systems, but Chae went a step further by developing a new code that could account for important details, such as the occurrence rate of “nested” binaries – where loosely orbiting stars also have close stellar companions. The findings of this study indicate that when the gravitational accelerations of these stars fall below one nanometer per second squared, they exhibit movement patterns that align more with Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND) models than with the standard model.
According to Chae, this marks “direct evidence for the breakdown of standard gravity at weak acceleration” and presents “an immovable anomaly of gravity in favor of MOND-based modified gravity.” The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal, highlights “clear evidence” that binaries at points of weak acceleration synchronize with a specific MOND prediction known as AQUAL.
This discovery challenges the widely-accepted view of gravity and may require scientists to reconsider certain aspects of Sir Isaac Newton’s inverse square law of gravity, as well as Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity. It also brings into question the need for dark matter, which was previously assumed to make up a significant portion of the universe. Chae states that because the low acceleration limit no longer requires large amounts of dark matter to be consistent with general relativity, there may not be as much need for it as previously thought. However, Chae notes that the possibility of discovering new particles, such as sterile neutrinos, cannot be ruled out.
Reflecting on his findings, Chae expressed astonishment, stating, “When the results started to show up from my new and more reliable code, my initial reaction was that it was unbelievable. I was feeling like I was dreaming. It seemed so unreal because my results did not match any previous results.” He also explains that previous studies did not adequately account for hidden nested binaries or fully self-calibrate their data.
While some earlier research has suggested discrepancies in favor of modified gravity theories, these findings provide stronger evidence for a gravitational anomaly in star systems and shed new light on the mysteries of the universe. Scientists around the world are now eager to explore this phenomenon further and delve deeper into the nature of gravity itself.
This discovery may well mark the beginning of a new chapter in our understanding of the universe and our place within it. With the possibility of challenging age-old theories, scientists are embarking on exciting avenues of research that could revolutionize our understanding of gravity and reshape our entire cosmological framework.