Volume 19: Pages 458-498, 2006
Gravitation in a Deformed 3‐Space Coordinate Geometry
R. L. Post 1
1Research Technology Associates, 1350 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 850, Washington, DC 20036 U.S.A.
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 afundamentally 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 Ia 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.
Keywords: gravitational theory, flat space, dynamic systems, n‐body systems, strong fields, rotating inertial frames, relativity, gravitational field energy, gravitational radiation
Received: August 1, 2002; Published Online: December 15, 2008