On the Possibility of Quantum Gravity Effects at Astrophysical Scales

TL;DR

This paper reviews Quantum Einstein Gravity's renormalization group flow, suggesting that quantum effects at large scales could cause a scale-dependent Newton's constant, potentially explaining dark matter phenomena.

Contribution

It introduces the idea that quantum gravity effects could lead to a scale-dependent Newton's constant, offering a novel explanation for dark matter at astrophysical scales.

Findings

Renormalization effects may cause Newton's constant to vary with scale.

Quantum gravity effects could mimic dark matter phenomena.

Large-distance quantum effects are significant in astrophysical contexts.

Abstract

The nonperturbative renormalization group flow of Quantum Einstein Gravity (QEG) is reviewed. It is argued that at large distances there could be strong renormalization effects, including a scale dependence of Newton's constant, which mimic the presence of dark matter at galactic and cosmological scales.