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Indranil Banik

Publications and source records attributed to Indranil Banik.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

A simultaneous solution to the Hubble tension and observed bulk flow within 250 ${h^{-1}}$ Mpc

The $Λ$ cold dark matter ($Λ$CDM) standard cosmological model is in severe tension with several cosmological observations. Foremost is the Hubble tension, which exceeds $5σ$ confidence. Galaxy number counts show the Keenan-Barger-Cowie (KBC) supervoid, a significant underdensity out to 300~Mpc that cannot be reconciled with $Λ$CDM cosmology. Haslbauer et al. previously showed that a high local Hubble constant arises naturally due to gravitationally driven outflows from the observed KBC supervoid. The main prediction of this model is that peculiar velocities are typically much larger than expected in the $Λ$CDM framework. This agrees with the recent discovery by Watkins et al. that galaxies in the CosmicFlows-4 catalogue have significantly faster bulk flows than expected in the $Λ$CDM model on scales of $100-250 \, h^{-1}$~Mpc. The rising bulk flow curve is unexpected in standard cosmology, causing $4.8σ$ tension at $200 \, h^{-1}$~Mpc. In this work, we determine what the semi-analytic void model of Haslbauer et al. predicts for the bulk flows on these scales. We find qualitative agreement with the observations, especially if our vantage point is chosen to match the observed bulk flow on a scale of $50 \, h^{-1}$~Mpc. This represents a highly non-trivial success of a previously published model that was not constrained by bulk flow measurements, but which was shown to solve the Hubble tension and explain the KBC void consistently with the peculiar velocity of the Local Group. Our results suggest that several cosmological tensions can be simultaneously resolved if structure grows more efficiently than in the $Λ$CDM paradigm on scales of tens to hundreds of Mpc.

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Hydrodynamical structure formation in Milgromian cosmology

We present the first hydrodynamical cosmological simulations in the $ν$HDM framework based on Milgromian dynamics (MOND) with light (11~eV) sterile neutrinos. $ν$HDM can explain the expansion history, CMB anisotropies, and galaxy cluster dynamics similarly to standard cosmology while preserving MOND's successes on galaxy scales, making this the most conservative Milgromian framework. We generate initial conditions including sterile neutrinos using \textsc{camb} and \textsc{music} and modify the publicly available code \textsc{phantom of ramses} to run $ν$HDM models. The simulations start at redshift $z_e=199$, when the gravitational fields are stronger than $a_{_0}$ provided this does not vary. We analyse the growth of structure and investigate the impact of resolution and box size, which is at most 600 comoving Mpc. Large density contrasts arise at late times, which may explain the KBC void and Hubble tension. We quantify the mass function of formed structures at different redshifts. We show that the sterile neutrino mass fraction in these structures is similar to the cosmic fraction at high masses (consistent with MOND dynamical analyses) but approaches zero at lower masses, as expected for galaxies. We also identify structures with a low peculiar velocity comparable to the Local Group, but these are rare. The onset of group/cluster scale structure formation at $z_e\approx4$ appears to be in tension with observations of high redshift galaxies, which we discuss in comparison to prior analytical work in a MONDian framework. The formation of a cosmic web of filaments and voids demonstrates that this is not unique to standard Einstein/Newton-based cosmology.

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Simulations of star forming main sequence galaxies in Milgromian gravity

We conduct hydrodynamical MOND simulations of isolated disc galaxies over the stellar mass range $M_{\star}/M_\odot = 10^7 - 10^{11}$ using the adaptive mesh refinement code \textsc{phantom of ramses} (\textsc{por}), an adaptation of the \textsc{ramses} code with a Milgromian gravity solver. The scale lengths and gas fractions are based on observed galaxies, and the simulations are run for 5~Gyr. The main aim is to see whether existing sub-grid physics prescriptions for star formation and stellar feedback reproduce the observed main sequence and reasonably match the Kennicutt-Schmidt relation that captures how the local and global star formation rates relate to other properties. Star formation in the models starts soon after initialisation and continues as the models evolve. The initialized galaxies indeed evolve to a state which is on the observed main sequence, and reasonably matches the Kennicutt-Schmidt relation. The available formulation of sub-grid physics is therefore adequate and leads to galaxies that largely behave like observed galaxies, grow in radius, and have flat rotation curves $-$ provided we use Milgromian gravitation. Furthermore, the strength of the bars tends to be inversely correlated with the stellar mass of the galaxy, whereas the bar length strongly correlates with the stellar mass. Irrespective of the mass, the bar pattern speed stays constant with time, indicating that dynamical friction does not affect the bar dynamics. The models demonstrate Renzo's rule and form structures at large radii, much as in real galaxies. In this framework, baryonic physics is thus sufficiently understood to not pose major uncertainties in our modelling of global galaxy properties.

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From galactic bars to the Hubble tension: weighing up the astrophysical evidence for Milgromian gravity

Astronomical observations reveal a major deficiency in our understanding of physics $-$ the detectable mass is insufficient to explain the observed motions in a huge variety of systems given our current understanding of gravity, Einstein's General theory of Relativity (GR). This missing gravity problem may indicate a breakdown of GR at low accelerations, as postulated by Milgromian dynamics (MOND). We review the MOND theory and its consequences, including in a cosmological context where we advocate a hybrid approach involving light sterile neutrinos to address MOND's cluster-scale issues. We then test the novel predictions of MOND using evidence from galaxies, galaxy groups, galaxy clusters, and the large-scale structure of the Universe. We also consider whether the standard cosmological paradigm ($Λ$CDM) can explain the observations and review several previously published highly significant falsifications of it. Our overall assessment considers both the extent to which the data agree with each theory and how much flexibility each has when accommodating the data, with the gold standard being a clear $a~priori$ prediction not informed by the data in question. Our conclusion is that MOND is favoured by a wealth of data across a huge range of astrophysical scales, ranging from the kpc scales of galactic bars to the Gpc scale of the local supervoid and the Hubble tension, which is alleviated in MOND through enhanced cosmic variance. We also consider several future tests, mostly on scales much smaller than galaxies.

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Overestimated inclinations of Milgromian disc galaxies: the case of the ultradiffuse galaxy AGC 114905

We present hydrodynamical star-forming simulations in the Milgromian dynamics (MOND) framework of a gas-rich disc galaxy with properties similar to AGC 114905, which has recently been argued to have a rotation curve (RC) that is inconsistent with the MOND prediction. Our first model considers the galaxy in isolation, while our second model includes an external field of $0.05 \, a_{_0}$, the estimated gravitational field from large-scale structure. We show that isophotes in the face-on view can differ from circular at the 50% level. This could mislead observers into overestimating the inclination $i$ between disc and sky planes. Because RCs require a correction factor of $1/\sin i$, the actual RC could be much higher than reported by observers. This plausibly reconciles AGC 114905 with MOND expectations.

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3D hydrodynamic simulations for the formation of the Local Group satellite planes

The existence of mutually correlated thin and rotating planes of satellite galaxies around both the Milky Way (MW) and Andromeda (M31) calls for an explanation. Previous work in Milgromian dynamics (MOND) indicated that a past MW-M31 encounter might have led to the formation of these satellite planes. We perform the first-ever hydrodynamical MOND simulation of the Local Group using Phantom of RAMSES. We show that an MW-M31 encounter at $z \approx 1$, with a perigalactic distance of about 80 kpc, can yield two disc galaxies at $z=0$ oriented similarly to the observed galactic discs and separated similarly to the observed M31 distance. Importantly, the tidal debris are distributed in phase space similarly to the observed MW and M31 satellite planes, with the correct preferred orbital pole for both. The MW-M31 orbital geometry is consistent with the presently observed M31 proper motion despite this not being considered as a constraint when exploring the parameter space. The mass of the tidal debris around the MW and M31 at $z=0$ compare well with the mass observed in their satellite systems. The remnant discs of the two galaxies have realistic radial scale lengths and velocity dispersions, and the simulation naturally produces a much hotter stellar disc in M31 than in the MW. However, reconciling this scenario with the ages of stellar populations in satellite galaxies would require that a higher fraction of stars previously formed in the outskirts of the progenitors ended up within the tidal debris, or that the MW-M31 interaction occurred at $z>1$.

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The global stability of M33 in MOND

The dynamical stability of disk galaxies is sensitive to whether their anomalous rotation curves are caused by dark matter halos or Milgromian Dynamics (MOND). We investigate this by setting up a MOND model of M33. We first simulate it in isolation for 6 Gyr, starting from an initial good match to the rotation curve (RC). Too large a bar and bulge form when the gas is too hot, but this is avoided by reducing the gas temperature. A strong bar still forms in 1 Gyr, but rapidly weakens and becomes consistent with the observed weak bar. Previous work showed this to be challenging in Newtonian models with a live dark matter halo, which developed strong bars. The bar pattern speed implies a realistic corotation radius of 3 kpc. However, the RC still rises too steeply, and the central line of sight velocity dispersion (LOSVD) is too high. We then add a constant external acceleration field of $8.4 \times 10^{-12}$ m/s$^2$ at $30^\circ$ to the disk as a first order estimate for the gravity exerted by M31. This suppresses buildup of material at the centre, causing the RC to rise more slowly and reducing the central LOSVD. Overall, this simulation bears good resemblance to several global properties of M33, and highlights the importance of including even a weak external field on the stability and evolution of disk galaxies. Further simulations with a time-varying external field, modeling the full orbit of M33, will be needed to confirm its resemblance to observations.

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The High Fraction of Thin Disk Galaxies Continues to Challenge ΛCDM Cosmology

Any viable cosmological framework has to match the observed proportion of early- and late-type galaxies. In this contribution, we focus on the distribution of galaxy morphological types in the standard model of cosmology (Lambda cold dark matter, $Λ$CDM). Using the latest state-of-the-art cosmological $Λ$CDM simulations known as Illustris, IllustrisTNG, and EAGLE, we calculate the intrinsic and sky-projected aspect ratio distribution of the stars in subhalos with stellar mass $M_* > 10^{10}\,M_\odot$ at redshift $z=0$. There is a significant deficit of intrinsically thin disk galaxies, which however comprise most of the locally observed galaxy population. Consequently, the sky-projected aspect ratio distribution produced by these $Λ$CDM simulations disagrees with the Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA) survey and Sloan Digital Sky Survey at $\geq 12.52σ$ (TNG50-1) and $\geq 14.82σ$ (EAGLE50) confidence. The deficit of intrinsically thin galaxies could be due to a much less hierarchical merger-driven build-up of observed galaxies than is given by the $Λ$CDM framework. It might also arise from the implemented sub-grid models, or from the limited resolution of the above-mentioned hydrodynamical simulations. We estimate that an $8^5$ times better mass resolution realization than TNG50-1 would reduce the tension with GAMA to the $5.58σ$ level. Finally, we show that galaxies with fewer major mergers have a somewhat thinner aspect ratio distribution. Given also the high expected frequency of minor mergers in $Λ$CDM, the problem may be due to minor mergers. In this case, the angular momentum problem could be alleviated in Milgromian dynamics (MOND) because of a reduced merger frequency arising from the absence of dynamical friction between extended dark matter halos.

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Fast galaxy bars continue to challenge standard cosmology

Many observed disc galaxies harbour a central bar. In the standard cosmological paradigm, galactic bars should be slowed down by dynamical friction from the dark matter halo. This friction depends on the galaxy's physical properties in a complex way, making it impossible to formulate analytically. Fortunately, cosmological hydrodynamical simulations provide an excellent statistical population of galaxies, letting us quantify how simulated galactic bars evolve within dark matter haloes. We measure bar strengths, lengths, and pattern speeds in barred galaxies in state-of-the-art cosmological hydrodynamical simulations of the IllustrisTNG and EAGLE projects, using techniques similar to those used observationally. We then compare our results with the largest available observational sample at redshift $z=0$. We show that the tension between these simulations and observations in the ratio of corotation radius to bar length is $12.62σ$ (TNG50), $13.56σ$ (TNG100), $2.94σ$ (EAGLE50), and $9.69σ$ (EAGLE100), revealing for the first time that the significant tension reported previously persists in the recently released TNG50. The lower statistical tension in EAGLE50 is actually caused by it only having 5 galaxies suitable for our analysis, but all four simulations give similar statistics for the bar pattern speed distribution. In addition, the fraction of disc galaxies with bars is similar between TNG50 and TNG100, though somewhat above EAGLE100. The simulated bar fraction and its trend with stellar mass both differ greatly from observations. These dramatic disagreements cast serious doubt on whether galaxies actually have massive cold dark matter haloes, with their associated dynamical friction acting on galactic bars.

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Detailed numerical implementation of the wide binary test

The observed flat rotation curves of galaxies are among a number of astrophysical phenomena which require a larger acceleration than can be provided by the Newtonian gravity of the detected baryons. The main proposed solutions are additional undetected mass in the form of dark matter, or a low-acceleration modification to Newtonian gravity known as Milgromian dynamics (MOND). It is possible to directly test MOND using wide binary stars in the Solar neighbourhood, as these systems should contain a dynamically insignificant amount of dark matter even if it comprises most of the Galaxy. However, local wide binaries in MOND should orbit each other $\approx 20\%$ faster than in Newtonian dynamics. We describe the detailed plan for how this wide binary test will be conducted, focusing especially on stages with a high numerical cost. The computational costs and memory requirements are estimated for the main stages in the plan. Our overall assessment is that the critically important cost function can be evaluated deterministically at a marginal cost of a few seconds, giving the absolute binomial likelihood of a model. This will allow the cost function to be embedded within a Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampler, or a less expensive gradient descent stage designed to reveal the best-fitting model parameters. Therefore, the wide binary test should be feasible using currently available technology.

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The Kennicutt-Schmidt law and the main sequence of galaxies in Newtonian and Milgromian dynamics

The Kennicutt-Schmidt law is an empirical relation between the star formation rate surface density ($Σ_{SFR}$) and the gas surface density ($Σ_{gas}$) in disc galaxies. The relation has a power-law form $Σ_{SFR} \propto Σ_{gas}^n$. Assuming that star formation results from gravitational collapse of the interstellar medium, $Σ_{SFR}$ can be determined by dividing $Σ_{gas}$ by the local free-fall time $t_{ff}$. The formulation of $t_{ff}$ yields the relation between $Σ_{SFR}$ and $Σ_{gas}$, assuming that a constant fraction ($\varepsilon_{SFE}$) of gas is converted into stars every $t_{ff}$. This is done here for the first time using Milgromian dynamics (MOND). Using linear stability analysis of a uniformly rotating thin disc, it is possible to determine the size of a collapsing perturbation within it. This lets us evaluate the sizes and masses of clouds (and their $t_{ff}$) as a function of $Σ_{gas}$ and the rotation curve. We analytically derive the relation $Σ_{SFR} \propto Σ_{gas}^{n}$ both in Newtonian and Milgromian dynamics, finding that $n=1.4$. The difference between the two cases is a change only to the constant pre-factor, resulting in increased $Σ_{SFR}$ of up to 25\% using MOND in the central regions of dwarf galaxies. Due to the enhanced role of disk self-gravity, star formation extends out to larger galactocentric radii than in Newtonian gravity, with the clouds being larger. In MOND, a nearly exact representation of the present-day main sequence of galaxies is obtained if $ε_{SFE} = \text{constant} \approx 1.1\%$. We also show that empirically found correction terms to the Kennicutt-Schmidt law are included in the here presented relations. Furthermore, we determine that if star formation is possible, then the temperature only affects $Σ_{SFR}$ by at most a factor of $\sqrt{2}$.

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On the absence of backsplash analogues to NGC 3109 in the $Λ$CDM framework

The dwarf galaxy NGC 3109 is receding 105 km/s faster than expected in a $Λ$CDM timing argument analysis of the Local Group and external galaxy groups within 8 Mpc (Banik \& Zhao 2018). If this few-body model accurately represents long-range interactions in $Λ$CDM, this high velocity suggests that NGC 3109 is a backsplash galaxy that was once within the virial radius of the Milky Way and was slingshot out of it. Here, we use the Illustris TNG300 cosmological hydrodynamical simulation and its merger tree to identify backsplash galaxies. We find that backsplashers as massive ($\geq 4.0 \times 10^{10} M_\odot$) and distant ($\geq 1.2$ Mpc) as NGC 3109 are extremely rare, with none having also gained energy during the interaction with their previous host. This is likely due to dynamical friction. Since we identified 13225 host galaxies similar to the Milky Way or M31, we conclude that postulating NGC 3109 is a backsplash galaxy causes $>3.96σ$ tension with the expected distribution of backsplashers in $Λ$CDM. We show that the dark matter only version of TNG300 yields much the same result, demonstrating its robustness to how the baryonic physics is modelled. If instead NGC 3109 is not a backsplasher, consistency with $Λ$CDM would require the 3D timing argument analysis to be off by 105 km/s for this rather isolated dwarf, which we argue is unlikely. We discuss a possible alternative scenario for NGC 3109 and the Local Group satellite planes in the context of MOND, where the Milky Way and M31 had a past close flyby $7-10$ Gyr ago.

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Barred spiral galaxies in modified gravity theories

When bars form within galaxy formation simulations in the standard cosmological context, dynamical friction with dark matter (DM) causes them to rotate rather slowly. However, almost all observed galactic bars are fast in terms of the ratio between corotation radius and bar length. Here, we explicitly display an $8σ$ tension between the observed distribution of this ratio and that in the EAGLE simulation at redshift 0. We also compare the evolution of Newtonian galactic discs embedded in DM haloes to their evolution in three extended gravity theories: Milgromian Dynamics (MOND), a model of non-local gravity, and a scalar-tensor-vector gravity theory (MOG). Although our models start with the same initial baryonic distribution and rotation curve, the long-term evolution is different. The bar instability happens more violently in MOND compared to the other models. There are some common features between the extended gravity models, in particular the negligible role played by dynamical friction $-$ which plays a key role in the DM model. Partly for this reason, all extended gravity models predict weaker bars and faster bar pattern speeds compared to the DM case. Although the absence of strong bars in our idealized, isolated extended gravity simulations is in tension with observations, they reproduce the strong observational preference for `fast' bar pattern speeds, which we could not do with DM. We confirm previous findings that apparently `ultrafast' bars can be due to bar-spiral arm alignment leading to an overestimated bar length, especially in extended gravity scenarios where the bar is already fast.

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The Phantom of RAMSES user guide for galaxy simulations using Milgromian and Newtonian gravity

This document describes the general process of setting up, running, and analysing disc galaxy simulations using the freely available program Phantom of RAMSES (PoR). This implements Milgromian Dynamics (MOND) with a patch to the RAMSES grid-based $N$-body and hydrodynamical code that uses adaptive mesh refinement. We discuss the procedure of setting up isolated and interacting disc galaxy initial conditions for PoR, running the simulations, and analysing the results. This manual also concisely documents all previously developed MOND simulation codes and the results obtained with them.

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The KBC void and Hubble tension contradict $Λ$CDM on a Gpc scale $-$ Milgromian dynamics as a possible solution

The KBC void is a local underdensity with the observed relative density contrast $δ\equiv 1 - ρ/ρ_{0} = 0.46 \pm 0.06$ between 40 and 300 Mpc around the Local Group. If mass is conserved in the Universe, such a void could explain the $5.3σ$ Hubble tension. However, the MXXL simulation shows that the KBC void causes $6.04σ$ tension with standard cosmology ($Λ$CDM). Combined with the Hubble tension, $Λ$CDM is ruled out at $7.09σ$ confidence. Consequently, the density and velocity distribution on Gpc scales suggest a long-range modification to gravity. In this context, we consider a cosmological MOND model supplemented with $11 \, \rm{eV}/c^{2}$ sterile neutrinos. We explain why this $ν$HDM model has a nearly standard expansion history, primordial abundances of light elements, and cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropies. In MOND, structure growth is self-regulated by external fields from surrounding structures. We constrain our model parameters with the KBC void density profile, the local Hubble and deceleration parameters derived jointly from supernovae at redshifts $0.023 - 0.15$, time delays in strong lensing systems, and the Local Group velocity relative to the CMB. Our best-fitting model simultaneously explains these observables at the $1.14\%$ confidence level (${2.53 σ}$ tension) if the void is embedded in a time-independent external field of ${0.055 \, a_{_0}}$. Thus, we show for the first time that the KBC void can naturally resolve the Hubble tension in Milgromian dynamics. Given the many successful a priori MOND predictions on galaxy scales that are difficult to reconcile with $Λ$CDM, Milgromian dynamics supplemented by $11 \, \rm{eV}/c^{2}$ sterile neutrinos may provide a more holistic explanation for astronomical observations across all scales.

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Constraints on the star formation histories of galaxies in the Local Cosmological Volume

The majority of galaxies with current star-formation rates (SFRs), SFRo >= 10^-3 Msun/yr, in the Local Cosmological Volume where observations should be reliable, have the property that their observed SFRo is larger than their average star formation rate. This is in tension with the evolution of galaxies described by delayed-tau models, according to which the opposite would be expected. The tension is apparent in that local galaxies imply the star formation timescale tau approx 6.7 Gyr, much longer than the 3.5-4.5 Gyr obtained using an empirically determined main sequence at several redshifts. Using models where the SFR is a power law in time of the form propto (t - t1)^eta for t1 = 1.8 Gyr (with no stars forming prior to t1) implies that eta = 0.18 +- 0.03. This suggested near-constancy of a galaxy's SFR over time raises non-trivial problems for the evolution and formation time of galaxies, but is broadly consistent with the observed decreasing main sequence with increasing age of the Universe.

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Scale-invariant dynamics in the Solar System

The covariant scale-invariant dynamics (SID) theory has recently been proposed as a possible explanation for the observed dynamical discrepancies in galaxies (Maeder & Gueorguiev 2020). SID implies that these discrepancies $-$ commonly attributed to dark matter $-$ arise instead from a non-standard velocity-dependent force that causes two-body near-Keplerian orbits to expand. We show that the predicted expansion of the Earth-Moon orbit is incompatible with lunar laser ranging data at $>200σ$. Moreover, SID predicts that the gravitating mass of any object was much smaller in the past. If true, a low-mass red giant star must be significantly older than in standard theory. This would make it much older than the conventional age of the Universe, which however is expected to be similarly old in SID. Moreover, it is not completely clear whether SID truly contains new physics beyond General Relativity, with several previous works arguing that the extra degree of freedom is purely mathematical. We conclude that the SID model is falsified at high significance by observations across a range of scales, even if it is theoretically well formulated.

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Solar System limits on gravitational dipoles

The gravitational dipole theory of Hadjukovic (2010) is based on the hypothesis that antimatter has a negative gravitational mass and thus falls upwards on Earth. Astrophysically, the model is similar to but more fundamental than Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND), with the Newtonian gravity $g_{_N}$ towards an isolated point mass boosted by the factor $ν= 1 + \left( α/x \right) \tanh \left( \sqrt{x}/α\right)$, where $x \equiv g_{_N}/a_{_0}$ and $a_{_0} = 1.2 \times 10^{-10}$ m/s$^2$ is the MOND acceleration constant. We show that $α$ must lie in the range ${0.4-1}$ to acceptably fit galaxy rotation curves. In the Solar System, this interpolating function implies an extra Sunwards acceleration of ${αa_{_0}}$. This would cause Saturn to deviate from Newtonian expectations by ${7000 \left( α/0.4 \right)}$ km over 15 years, starting from known initial position and velocity on a near-circular orbit. We demonstrate that this prediction should not be significantly altered by the postulated dipole haloes of other planets due to the rather small region in which each planet's gravity dominates over that of the Sun. The orbit of Saturn should similarly be little affected by a possible ninth planet in the outer Solar System and by the Galactic gravity causing a non-spherical distribution of gravitational dipoles several kAU from the Sun. Radio tracking of the Cassini spacecraft orbiting Saturn yields a ${5σ}$ upper limit of 160 metres on deviations from its conventionally calculated trajectory. These measurements imply a much more stringent upper limit on $α$ than the minimum required for consistency with rotation curve data. Therefore, no value of $α$ can simultaneously match all available constraints, falsifying the gravitational dipole theory in its current form at extremely high significance.

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