Discussion Overview
The discussion centers on the viability of Deur's theory of gravitational self-interaction as an explanation for galaxy rotation curves, particularly in light of recent critiques and alternative models. Participants explore the implications of gravitomagnetic effects in general relativity and their ability to account for observed phenomena without invoking dark matter.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Technical explanation
- Exploratory
Main Points Raised
- Some participants reference a paper by Lasenby et al. that argues gravitomagnetic effects are too weak to explain galaxy rotation curves, suggesting they are O(10^−6) smaller than Newtonian effects.
- Others highlight that Deur's claims have not been supported by numerical general relativity, with experts finding no evidence for his assertions despite extensive computational efforts.
- One participant notes that while Cooperstock and Tieu's model is mentioned, it does not directly address Deur's theory, indicating a lack of consensus on the relationship between these approaches.
- Some argue that Deur's methodology may be flawed due to the inclusion of free-space solutions that do not apply to physical galaxies, which could undermine his conclusions.
- A later reply suggests that Deur's approach may be misunderstood, and that his expressions of the GR Lagrangian capture aspects of general relativity that are often overlooked in standard approximations.
- Participants discuss alternative theories, such as Refracted Gravity and MOND, as potentially more viable explanations for the observed dynamics of galaxies without requiring dark matter.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a range of views, with some supporting Deur's theory and others challenging its validity. There is no clear consensus on whether Deur's approach is fundamentally flawed or if it requires further exploration.
Contextual Notes
Some limitations in the discussion include the dependence on specific assumptions regarding gravitational effects and the unresolved status of certain mathematical formulations within the theories being debated.