Gravitational solution to the Pioneer 10/11 anomaly

TL;DR

This paper proposes a relativistic modified gravity theory with a fifth force to explain the Pioneer 10/11 anomaly, fitting the anomalous acceleration data while remaining consistent with other gravitational observations.

Contribution

It introduces a new gravitational model incorporating a fifth force and variable constants, providing a fit to Pioneer anomaly data within experimental bounds.

Findings

Successful fit to Pioneer 10/11 anomalous acceleration data

Consistency with satellite and planetary observations

Parameter values align with fifth force experimental constraints

Abstract

A fully relativistic modified gravitational theory including a fifth force skew symmetric field is fitted to the Pioneer 10/11 anomalous acceleration. The theory allows for a variation with distance scales of the gravitational constant G, the fifth force skew symmetric field coupling strength omega and the mass of the skew symmetric field mu=1/lambda. A fit to the available anomalous acceleration data for the Pioneer 10/11 spacecraft is obtained for a phenomenological representation of the "running" constants and values of the associated parameters are shown to exist that are consistent with fifth force experimental bounds. The fit to the acceleration data is consistent with all current satellite, laser ranging and observations for the inner planets.