• Featured in Physics
  • Editors' Suggestion

Novel Test of Modified Newtonian Dynamics with Gas Rich Galaxies

Stacy S. McGaugh
Phys. Rev. Lett. 106, 121303 – Published 21 March 2011; Erratum Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 229901 (2011)
Physics logo See Viewpoint: Testing gravity in gas-rich galaxies

Abstract

The current cosmological paradigm, the cold dark matter model with a cosmological constant, requires that the mass-energy of the Universe be dominated by invisible components: dark matter and dark energy. An alternative to these dark components is that the law of gravity be modified on the relevant scales. A test of these ideas is provided by the baryonic Tully-Fisher relation (BTFR), an empirical relation between the observed mass of a galaxy and its rotation velocity. Here, I report a test using gas rich galaxies for which both axes of the BTFR can be measured independently of the theories being tested and without the systematic uncertainty in stellar mass that affects the same test with star dominated spirals. The data fall precisely where predicted a priori by the modified Newtonian dynamics. The scatter in the BTFR is attributable entirely to observational uncertainty, consistent with a single effective force law.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 12 November 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.121303

© 2011 American Physical Society

Erratum

Viewpoint

Key Image

Testing gravity in gas-rich galaxies

Published 21 March 2011

A modification of the theory of gravity can explain the dynamics of gas-rich galaxies without the need for dark matter.

See more in Physics

Authors & Affiliations

Stacy S. McGaugh

  • Department of Astronomy, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742-2421, USA

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 106, Iss. 12 — 25 March 2011

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
CHORUS

Article Available via CHORUS

Download Accepted Manuscript
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×