Towards a general field equation for galaxies and galaxy clusters

TL;DR

This paper develops a modified gravitational field equation extending MONDian theories to galaxy clusters, aiming to explain missing mass phenomena with a single free parameter and reconcile galactic and cluster observations.

Contribution

It introduces a new field equation that generalizes existing theories, enabling application to galaxy clusters and addressing the discrepancy in mass predictions.

Findings

The modified equation fits galaxy cluster data well.

It explains the difference between galactic and cluster RAR.

The model remains consistent with solar system constraints.

Abstract

The MONDian theory of AQUAL (AQUAdratic Lagrangian) and the theory of GRAS (GRavitational Anti-Screening) are alternatives to the theory of dark matter. When these theories are applied to galaxy dynamics they are in excellent agreement with observations including the galactic RAR (Radial Acceleration Relationship). However, when applied to galaxy clusters they do not explain the bulk of the missing mass. This manuscript develops a modified version of the GRAS/AQUAL field equation that can be extended to galaxy clusters. It involves just a single free parameter. The new field equation is then applied to a sample of galaxy clusters and checked against modeled galaxies and solar system constraints. Further to this, the modified field equation leads to an understanding of the difference between the galactic RAR and the RAR recently found for clusters.