Correct light deflection in Weyl conformal gravity

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that using the Rindler-Ishak method, conformal gravity predicts a positive light deflection contribution for gamma > 0, aligning with observations and supporting its viability in astrophysics.

Contribution

It shows that the Rindler-Ishak method yields positive light deflection in conformal gravity, resolving previous contradictions and reinforcing its observational consistency.

Findings

Rindler-Ishak method produces positive deflection for gamma > 0

Exact local coupling term derived by Sereno supports results

Conformal gravity remains compatible with astrophysical observations

Abstract

The conformal gravity fit to observed galactic rotation curves requires {\gamma}>0. On the other hand, conventional method for light deflection by galaxies gives a negative contribution to Schwarzschild value for {\gamma}>0, which is contrary to observation. Thus, it is very important that the contribution to bending should in principle be positive, no matter how small its magnitude is. Here we show that the Rindler-Ishak method gives a positive contribution to Schwarzschild deflection for {\gamma}>0, as desired. We also obtain the exact local coupling term derived earlier by Sereno. These results indicate that conformal gravity can potentially test well against all astrophysical observations to date.