Gravitation in a Deformed 3-Space Coordinate Geometry

摘要

The gravitational theory developed in this paper maps gravity using a coordinate 3-space vector displacement field D to map the effect of mass-energy concentrations on the geometry of 3-space and to construct a general space-time metric. The theory (with no adjustable parameters) assumes a deformable asymptotically flat 3-space coordinate geometry for isolated gravitating systems and provides a fundamentally different geometrical description of gravitation from general relativity. The theory postulates invariant locally measured constants c and G in local inertial frames in a gravitational field. Coordinate photon speeds are determined by the geometric deformation mapped by the D field. Particle paths are determined from an extremal condition of minimum coordinate travel time, an expected quantum field-related result in a 3-space coordinate geometry with gradients in coordinate light speed. Coordinate particle mass is defined in this approach of this paper, and gravitational field mass-energy is localized. Measurement predictions appear consistent with all current observations but can be distinguished from general relativity with improved measurement precision. For the Gravity Probe B experiment currently in the data analysis phase this paper predicts gyroscopic "frame-dragging" precession rates that differ significantly from those predicted by general relativity. In preliminary astrophysical applications there appears to be no need for "dark energy" in explaining the integrated Sachs-Wolfe effect or the "dimming" of distant Type la supernovae in an expanding universe. In addition, gravitational field mass as developed in this paper is a good candidate for "dark matter" in the universe.