Reframing the Galaxy and Cluster Mass Discrepancy Problem: A Consequence of Virial Equilibrium and Other Energy Considerations

TL;DR

This paper suggests that the galaxy and cluster mass discrepancy can be explained by virial equilibrium and energy considerations, challenging dark matter and modified gravity theories.

Contribution

It introduces a virial theorem-based approach to explain mass discrepancies without invoking dark matter or modified gravity.

Findings

Virial energy can account for observed mass discrepancies.

Baryonic Tully-Fisher relation aligns with virial equilibrium.

Comparison shows consistency with empirical mass estimates.

Abstract

Galaxy and galaxy clusters exhibit tight robust physical scaling relations between baryons and system dynamics. One such phenomenon is mass discrepancy with two leading solution spaces occupied by LCDM and MOND. Here, we propose an alternative solution to this puzzling problem exclusively based on application of the scalar virial theorem. For these dynamically equilibrated systems, we demonstrate there is ample virially-induced kinetic energy available to modify bulk structure dynamics in apparent violation of Newtonian law. We propose the ubiquitous Baryonic Tully-Fisher Relation represents the preferred dynamic configuration that best assures long-term survivability for these thermodynamic quasi-equilibrated systems. We compare total mass estimates guided by the empirical evidence to those obtained from NFW dark matter halo fits ranging from small dwarf galaxies to massive galaxy clusters.