# Galaxy Rotation Curves via Conformal Factors

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel formula derived from the Starobinsky model in Palatini formalism, explaining galaxy rotation curves by using two conformally related metrics, and tests it against observational data from the THINGS survey.

## Contribution

It presents a new theoretical approach to galaxy rotation curves based on conformal metrics in the Starobinsky model, offering an alternative to dark matter explanations.

## Key findings

- The formula fits observed galaxy rotation profiles from THINGS.
- The approach provides a new perspective on gravitational effects in galaxies.
- Results suggest conformal factors can explain rotation curves without dark matter.

## Abstract

We propose a new formula to explain circular velocity profiles of spiral galaxies obtained from the Starobinsky model in Palatini formalism. It is based on the assumption that the gravity can be described by two conformally related metrics: one of them is responsible for the measurement of distances, while the other so-called dark metric, is responsible for a geodesic equation and therefore can be used for the description of the velocity profile. The formula is tested against a subset of galaxies taken from the HI Nearby Galaxy Survey (THINGS).