Testing modified gravity with globular clusters: the case of NGC 2419

TL;DR

This paper tests a modified gravity model, the symmetron, against globular cluster NGC 2419 data, finding it can explain cluster dynamics but conflicts with Solar System constraints, highlighting the need for screening mechanisms.

Contribution

It applies the symmetron modified gravity model to globular cluster data, exploring its viability and potential to address discrepancies in cluster dynamics.

Findings

Symmetron model fits the velocity dispersion profile of NGC 2419.

The best fit explains the cluster's dynamics better than general relativity.

The model conflicts with Solar System constraints, indicating the need for screening mechanisms.

Abstract

The dynamics of globular clusters has been studied in great detail in the context of general relativity as well as with modifications of gravity that strongly depart from the standard paradigm such as MOND. However, at present there are no studies that aim to test the impact that less extreme modifications of gravity (e.g. models constructed as alternatives to dark energy) have on the behaviour of globular clusters. This Letter presents fits to the velocity dispersion profile of the cluster NGC 2419 under the symmetron modified gravity model. The data shows an increase in the velocity dispersion towards the centre of the cluster which could be difficult to explain within general relativity. By finding the best fitting solution associated with the symmetron model, we show that this tension does not exist in modified gravity. However, the best fitting parameters give a model that is inconsistent with the dynamics of the Solar System. Exploration of different screening mechanisms should give us the chance to understand if it is possible to maintain the appealing properties of the symmetron model when it comes to globular clusters and at the same time recover the Solar System dynamics properly.