There are still unexplainable events in space related to gravity. One astrophysicist observed a gravitational anomaly that reportedly challenged Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity.
Gravitational Anomaly Challenges General Theory of Relativity
In a new study, astronomer Kyu-Hyun Chae of Sejong University in Korea examined around 2,500 broad binary star systems seen by the European Space Agency's Gaia space telescope. He concluded that normal gravity is disintegrating at specific locations within them.
Midway through 2023, Chae initially reported discovering gravitational anomalies while studying the orbital motions of wide binaries. Chae believed these anomalies supported the modified gravity theory, called modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND).
Nevertheless, some physicists disagreed, arguing that the gravity of undetected close companions in the binary star systems had "contaminated" his sample. Put another way, it's more plausible that interlopers hiding in the shadows were responsible for the larger-than-expected accelerations Chae saw in some wide binaries.
So, the Sejong University physicist decided to test his ideas again in a smaller, refined selection of 'pure' binary stars. There are no issues, as Chae discovered that closely orbiting twin stars behaved in a way consistent with classical Newtonian dynamics.
However, regardless of whether hypothetical dark matter was included in the models, binary stars separated by more than 2,000 astronomical units seemed to receive a velocity 'boost' at low accelerations, which is incongruous with what classical mechanics predicts.
"This gravitational anomaly implies a low-acceleration breakdown of both Newtonian dynamics and general relativity and so has immense implications for astrophysics, cosmology, and fundamental physics," Chae wrote.
"Thus, one cannot overemphasize the importance of confirming the claimed anomaly from as many independent studies as possible."
Chae's colleagues will carefully review his paper. Such discoveries could provide a means of filling in the remaining puzzles around gravity.
Chae claimed that the study supported gravity boost in a low-acceleration regime. However, he encourages more studies to gather further evidence.
What Is the Theory of General Relativity?
Albert Einstein, a physicist, developed general relativity to explain how gravity alters space-time. The idea extended Einstein's special relativity theory, which he had proposed ten years previously and was published in 1915. Although special relativity denied the existence of gravity, it maintained that space and time are intimately linked.
NASA claims that during the ten years between the two papers, Einstein concluded that especially huge objects deform space-time, resulting in the manifestation of gravity.
According to NASA Glenn Research Center, the gravitational force pulling two bodies apart depends on how heavy each one is and how far apart they are. Your center of mass is moving away from the Earth even as the Earth's core is drawing you toward it to keep you firmly planted. Your center of mass is pulling back at the Earth even as its core is dragging you toward it, keeping you securely planted on the surface. But the more massive body barely feels the tug from you, while with your much smaller mass, you find yourself firmly rooted thanks to that same force. Newton's laws assume gravity as an intrinsic property of an object with a long range of action.
Numerous events consistent with the predictions of relativity have been witnessed by scientists in the decades after Einstein presented his theory.
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