Gravity Theory Challenged by New Research, Allegedly Disagreeing with Newton and Einstein's Gravity Theory
In a groundbreaking development, scientists at South Korea's Sejong University have published a study in The Astrophysical Journal this month, challenging the long-held understanding of gravity. The study, focused on the orbital motions of long-period, widely separated, binary stars, has found that at extremely low orbital accelerations, the observed accelerations of celestial objects were higher than Newton-Einstein models would predict.
This unexpected 1.4 times acceleration boost has been explained by a MOND-influenced theory of gravity, called A Quadratic Lagrangian (AQUAL). Developed primarily by Mordehai Milgrom, this theory provides a modified Newtonian dynamics approach to explain anomalous accelerations in these specific celestial bodies.
The findings of this study represent a direct evidence for the breakdown of standard gravity at weak acceleration, according to the paper. This could potentially mean a significant shift in our understanding of the universe, as Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, published in 1687, has been the cornerstone of our understanding of the cosmos for centuries.
Isaac Newton's law, while revolutionary in its time, had limitations. It was unable to explain gravitational phenomena like black holes and gravitational waves. Albert Einstein's Theory of General Relativity, developed in the early 20th century, addressed some of these limitations, but it too seems to have its boundaries.
Darren Orf, a writer and editor living in Portland, has been following this development closely. With areas of expertise including sci-fi and understanding the workings of the world, Darren's work has previously been published in Gizmodo and Paste. In his current role, he is focusing on writing and editing for an unspecified publication.
The study suggests that Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND), a theory proposed by Israeli scientist Mordehai Milgrom in 1983, could explain the strange gravitational interaction observed in these low accelerations. However, it is important to note that MOND contains its own limitations and challenges, and will need much more observational support before it upends our modern understanding of gravity and the universe.
This study from Sejong University marks another step in our ongoing quest to understand the mysteries of the cosmos. As we continue to explore and observe, we may uncover more about the limits of our current theories and the potential for new discoveries.
