arXiv subjects

V. T. Toth

Publications and source records attributed to V. T. Toth.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2024

Implications of the Milky Way Declining Rotation Curve

Almost all spiral galaxies have been observed to have flattening rotation curves. The new Gaia DR3 released data shows a Milky Way sharply Keplerian declining rotation curve, starting at $\sim 16$ kpc and ending at 26.5 kpc. The data reduces the total Milky Way mass by an order of magnitude, $M=2.06\times 10^{11}M_{\odot}$, compared to the standard required dark matter halo mass, $(2-5)\times10^{12}M_\odot$. Newtonian and modified gravity (MOG) fits are applied to the Gaia DR3 rotation curve data. The fit obtained using MOG has a total mass of $M\sim1.3\times 10^{11}M_{\odot}$, while the Newtonian fit predicts a mass of $M\sim2\times 10^{11}M_{\odot}$. These are in excess of the estimated visible baryon mass of the Milky Way, $M_b\sim (0.6-1.0)\times 10^{11}M_{\odot}$. It is possible that if the cicumgalactic (CGM) plasma-gas continues to be confirmed experimentally, then the additional baryon mass required to account for the estimated total Milky Way mass could be attributed to the CGM hot plasma-gas halo.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2021

The cosmological background and the "external field" in Modified Gravity (MOG)

We investigate the contributions of the Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker metric of the standard cosmology as an asymptotic boundary condition on the first-order approximation of the gravitational field in Moffat's theory of modified gravity (MOG). We also consider contributions due to the fact that the MOG theory does not satisfy the shell theorem or Birkhoff's theorem, resulting in what is known as the "external field effect" (EFE). We show that while both these effects add small contributions to the radial acceleration law, the result is orders of magnitude smaller than the radial acceleration in spiral galaxies.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Scalar-Tensor-Vector modified gravity in light of the Planck 2018 data

The recent data release by the Planck satellite collaboration presents a renewed challenge for modified theories of gravitation. Such theories must be capable of reproducing the observed angular power spectrum of the cosmic microwave background radiation. For modified theories of gravity, an added challenge lies with the fact that standard computational tools do not readily accommodate the features of a theory with a variable gravitational coupling coefficient. An alternative is to use less accurate but more easily modifiable semianalytical approximations to reproduce at least the qualitative features of the angular power spectrum. We extend a calculation that was used previously to demonstrate compatibility between the Scalar-Tensor-Vector-Gravity (STVG) theory, also known by the acronym MOG, and data from the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) to show consistency between the theory and the newly released Planck 2018 data. We find that within the limits of this approximation, the theory accurately reproduces the features of the angular power spectrum.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2020

Applying Modified Gravity (MOG) to the Lensing and Einstein Ring in Abell 3827

The lensing and Einstein ring at the core of the galaxy cluster Abell 3827 are reproduced in the modified gravity theory MOG. The estimated effective lensing mass $M_L=(1+α)M_b=5.2\times 10^{12} M_\odot$ within $R=18.3$~kpc for a baryon mass $M_b=1.0\times 10^{12} M_\odot$ within the same radius produces the observed Einstein ring angular radius $θ_E=10''$. A detailed derivation of the total lensing mass is based on modeling of the cluster configuration of galaxies, intracluster light and X-ray emission. The MOG can fit the lensing and Einstein ring in Abell 3827 without dark matter as well as General Relativity with dark matter.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2020

The masses and shadows of the black holes Sagittarius A* and M87* in modified gravity (MOG)

We present calculations for the anticipated shadow sizes of Sgr A* and the supermassive black hole in the galaxy M87 in the context of the MOG modified theory of gravity (also known as Scalar-Tensor-Vector-Gravity, or STVG). We demonstrate that mass estimates derived from stellar and gas dynamics in the vicinity of these black holes are the Newtonian masses of the black holes even in the MOG theory. Consequently, shadow sizes increase as a function of the key dimensionless MOG parameter alpha that characterizes the variable gravitational coupling coefficient G, and may offer an observational means to distinguish the MOG theory from standard general relativity.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2018

NGC 1052-DF2 And Modified Gravity (MOG) Without Dark Matter

We model the velocity dispersion of the ultra-diffuse galaxy NGC 1052-DF2 using Newtonian gravity and modified gravity (MOG). The velocity dispersion predicted by MOG is higher than the Newtonian gravity prediction, but it is fully consistent with the observed velocity dispersion that is obtained from the motion of 10 globular clusters.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2018

Applying MOG to lensing: Einstein rings, Abell 520 and the Bullet Cluster

We investigate gravitational lensing in the context of the MOG modified theory of gravity. Using a formulation of the theory with no adjustable or fitted parameters, we present the MOG equations of motion for slow, nonrelativistic test particles and for ultrarelativistic test particles, such as rays of light. We demonstrate how the MOG prediction for the bending of light can be applied to astronomical observations. Our investigation first focuses on a small set of strong lensing observations where the properties of the lensing objects are found to be consistent with the predictions of the theory. We also present an analysis of the colliding clusters 1E0657-558 (known also as the Bullet Cluster) and Abell 520; in both cases, the predictions of the MOG theory are in good agreement with observation.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2017

Modified Gravity (MOG), the speed of gravitational radiation and the event GW170817/GRB170817A

Modified gravity (MOG) is a covariant, relativistic, alternative gravitational theory whose field equations are derived from an action that supplements the spacetime metric tensor with vector and scalar fields. Both gravitational (spin 2) and electromagnetic waves travel on null geodesics of the theory's one metric. Despite a recent claim to the contrary, MOG satisfies the weak equivalence principle and is consistent with observations of the neutron star merger and gamma ray burster event GW170817/GRB170817A.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2014

Rotational Velocity Curves in the Milky Way as a Test of Modified Gravity

Galaxy rotation curves determined observationally out to a radius well beyond the galaxy cores can provide a critical test of modified gravity models without dark matter. The predicted rotational velocity curve obtained from Scalar-Vector-Tensor Gravity (STVG or MOG) is in excellent agreement with data for the Milky Way without a dark matter halo, with a mass of $5\times 10^{10}\,M_{\odot}$. The velocity rotation curve predicted by modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND) does not agree with the data.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2014

Karlhede's invariant and the black hole firewall proposal

The Karlhede invariant is formed from the contraction of the covariant derivative of the Riemann tensor. It is a coordinate invariant that vanishes at the Schwarzschild event horizon $r=2m$. The vanishing of the invariant allows an observer to construct a local measuring device and use it to detect an event horizon while falling into a black hole. Recent proposals postulate the existence of a "firewall" at the event horizon that may incinerate an infalling observer. These proposals face an apparent paradox if a freely falling observer detects nothing special in the vicinity of the horizon. The behavior of Karlhede's invariant raises the possibility that the event horizon is a real physical membrane with measurable properties that are detectable by a freely falling observer.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2012

Modified Gravity: Cosmology without dark matter or Einstein's cosmological constant

We explore the cosmological consequences of Modified Gravity (MOG), and find that it provides, using a minimal number of parameters, good fits to data, including CMB temperature anisotropy, galaxy power spectrum, and supernova luminosity-distance observations without exotic dark matter. MOG predicts a bouncing cosmology with a vacuum energy term that yields accelerating expansion and an age of ~13 billion years.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2012

Cosmological observations in a modified theory of gravity (MOG)

Our modified gravity theory (MOG) is a gravitational theory without exotic dark matter, based on an action principle. MOG has been used successfully to model astrophysical phenomena such as galaxy rotation curves, galaxy cluster masses, and lensing. MOG may also be able to account for cosmological observations. We assume that the MOG point source solution can be used to describe extended distributions of matter via an appropriately modified Poisson equation. We use this result to model perturbation growth in MOG and find that it agrees well with the observed matter power spectrum at present. As the resolution of the power spectrum improves with increasing survey size, however, significant differences emerge between the predictions of MOG and the standard LCDM model, as in the absence of exotic dark matter, oscillations of the power spectrum in MOG are not suppressed. We can also use MOG to model the acoustic power spectrum of the cosmic microwave background. A suitably adapted semi-analytical model offers a first indication that MOG may pass this test, and correctly model the peak of the acoustic spectrum.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2011

Comment on "The Real Problem with MOND" by Scott Dodelson, arXiv:1112.1320

We comment on arXiv:1112.1320 and point out that baryonic oscillations of the matter power spectrum, while predicted by theories that do not incorporate collisionless cold dark matter, are strongly suppressed by the statistical window function that is used to process finite-sized galaxy samples. We assert that with present-day data sets, the slope of the matter power spectrum is a much stronger indicator of a theory's validity. We also argue that MOND should not be used as a strawman theory as it is not in general representative of modified gravity theories; some theories, notably our scalar-vector-tensor MOdified Gravity (MOG), offer much more successful predictions of cosmological observations.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2011

The bending of light and lensing in modified gravity

Our modified gravity theory (MOG) was used successfully in the past to explain a range of astronomical and cosmological observations, including galaxy rotation curves, the CMB acoustic peaks, and the galaxy mass power spectrum. MOG was also used successfully to explain the unusual features of the Bullet Cluster 1E0657-558 without exotic dark matter. In the present work, we derive the relativistic equations of motion in the spherically symmetric field of a point source in MOG and, in particular, we derive equations for light bending and lensing. Our results also have broader applications in the case of extended distributions of matter, and they can be used to validate the Bullet Cluster results and provide a possible explanation for the merging clusters in Abell 520.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2011

Satellite galaxy velocity dispersions in the SDSS and modified gravity models

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) provides data on several hundred thousand galaxies. Precise location of these galaxies in the sky, along with information about their luminosities and line-of-sight (Doppler) velocities allows one to construct a three-dimensional map of their location and estimate their line-of-sight velocity dispersion. This information, in principle, allows one to test dynamical gravity models, specifically models of satellite galaxy velocity dispersions near massive hosts. A key difficulty is the separation of true satellites from interlopers. We sidestep this problem by not attempting to derive satellite galaxy velocity dispersions from the data, but instead incorporate an interloper background into the mathematical models and compare the result to the actual data. We find that due to the presence of interlopers, it is not possible to exclude several gravitational theories on the basis of the SDSS data.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2011

The running of coupling constants and unitarity in a finite electroweak model

We investigate the properties of a Finite Electroweak (FEW) Theory first proposed in 1991. The theory predicts a running of the electroweak coupling constants and a suppression of tree level amplitudes, ensuring unitarity without a Higgs particle. We demonstrate this explicitly by calculating W_L^+W_L^- -> W_L^+W_L^- and e+e- -> W_L^+W_L^- in both the electroweak Standard Model and the FEW model.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2010

Can Modified Gravity (MOG) explain the speeding Bullet (Cluster)?

We apply our scalar-tensor-vector (STVG) modified gravity theory (MOG) to calculate the infall velocities of the two clusters constituting the Bullet Cluster 1E0657-06. In the absence of an applicable two-body solution to the MOG field equations, we adopt an approximate acceleration formula based on the spherically symmetric, static, vacuum solution of the theory in the presence of a point source. We find that this formula predicts an infall velocity of the two clusters that is consistent with estimates based on hydrodynamic simulations.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2010

A finite electroweak model without a Higgs particle

An electroweak model in which the masses of the W and Z bosons and the fermions are generated by quantum loop graphs through a symmetry breaking is investigated. The model is based on a regularized quantum field theory in which the quantum loop graphs are finite to all orders of perturbation theory and the massless theory is gauge invariant, Poincare invariant, and unitary. The breaking of the electroweak symmetry SU_L(2) X U_Y(1) is achieved without a Higgs particle. A fundamental energy scale Λ_W (not to be confused with a naive cutoff) enters the theory through the regularization of the Feynman loop diagrams. The finite regularized theory with Λ_W allows for a fitting of low energy electroweak data. Λ_W ~ 542 GeV is determined at the Z pole by fitting it to the Z mass m_Z, and anchoring the value of \sin^2θ_w to its experimental value at the Z pole yields a prediction for the W mass m_W that is accurate to about 0.5% without radiative corrections. The scattering amplitudes for W_LW_L -> W_LW_L and e+e- -> W_L^+W_L^- processes do not violate unitarity at high energies due to the suppression of the amplitudes by the running of the coupling constants at vertices. There is no Higgs hierarchy fine-tuning problem in the model. The unitary tree level amplitudes for W_LW_L -> W_LW_L scattering and e+e- -> W_L^+W_L^- annihilation, predicted by the finite electroweak model are compared with the amplitudes obtained from the standard model with Higgs exchange. These predicted amplitudes can be used to distinguish at the LHC between the standard electroweak model and the Higgsless model.

hep-ph↗