Is the physics within the Solar system really understood?

[Garth]

Lammerzahl, Preuss & Dittus' paper Is the physics within the Solar system really understood? claims that the following anomalies may indicate new physics, even within solar syatem:

A collection is made of presently unexplained phenomena within our Solar system and in the universe. These phenomena are (i) the Pioneer anomaly, (ii) the flyby anomaly, (iii) the increase of the Astronomical Unit, (iv) the quadrupole and octupole anomaly, and (v) Dark Energy and (vi) Dark Matter. A new data analysis of the complete set of Pioneer data is announced in order to search for systematic effects or to confirm the unexplained acceleration. We also review the mysterious flyby anomaly where the velocities of spacecraft after Earth swing--bys are larger than expected. We emphasize the scientific aspects of this anomaly and propose systematic and continuous observations and studies at the occasion of future flybys. Further anomalies within the Solar system are the increase of the Astronomical Unit and the quadrupole and octupole anomaly. We briefly mention Dark Matter and Dark Energy since in some cases a relation between them and the Solar system anomalies have been speculated.

Are these serious concerns or is "more compelling evidence" required before our basic understanding of gravitational phenomena is seriously reviewed?

Garth

 

[Chronos]

I seriously doubt we can observationally confirm effects like dark matter/energy within the solar system. We can pretty much already rule out any significant fraction of DM [wrt to solar mass] in the vicinity of our solar system. The pioneer anomaly remains interesting. I doubt you can attribute it to equipment malfunctions, but systematic measurement errors appear to still be in play. I would really like to see a mission dedicated to confirming the pioneer effect.

 

[Critical_Pedagogy]

Lammerzahl, Preuss & Dittus' paper Is the physics within the Solar system really understood? claims that the following anomalies may indicate new physics, even within solar syatem:

Are these serious concerns or is "more compelling evidence" required before our basic understanding of gravitational phenomena is seriously reviewed?

Garth

"Garth"; these are not serious concerns. Our understanding of gravitational phenomena is sound. It does not require review.

Sweet dreams.

 

[Chronos]

I like the way Garth thinks. He asks good questions. And most of them are not terribly inconvenient or expensive to test.

 

[Garth]

"Garth"; these are not serious concerns. Our understanding of gravitational phenomena is sound. It does not require review.

Sweet dreams.

Yes Critical_Pedagogy, my dreams are sweet!

I am interested, how do you account for the Pioneer or 'Fly-by' Anomalies?

Garth

 

[matt.o]

These areas certainly are important and interesting, Garth. I think the Pioneer Anomaly may be conquered by an experiment specifically designed to measure it, with as many systematics as possible constrained.

 

[Scrufuss]

To answer the question, simply NO.
The more we learn the more we become aware of how much we do not know.
We will not completely understand the physics of our solar system for many generations, there is just too much out there and we have limited capabilities to get there.

 

[russ_watters]

Three year old thread...locking.