Deflection of Radio Waves by the Sun Measured with Very Long Baseline Interferometry: A Frame Test at the Solar Limb

This paper computes the deviation of gamma from unity inferred from light deflection for quasar radio waves passing near the Sun within a torsion-regulated gravitational frame — Einstein-Cartan gravity with the density bound that follows from its spin-torsion term — and compares the result with the best published measurement. The relativistic prediction is 0 dimensionless; the published value is -0.0002 plus or minus 0.0003 dimensionless, a residual of -0.0002 dimensionless (-0.6667 standard deviations). Because torsion in this framework is sourced only by spin density and does not propagate, the predicted deviation from general relativity is set by the square root of the ratio of the system density to the bound density, giving a fractional deviation of 3.806e-28 and a correction of 3.806e-28 dimensionless. The measurement bounds any fractional deviation at 0.0008 (two standard deviations), so the framework passes this test with a headroom factor of 2.102e+24. Stated plainly, the test is consistent with the framework but cannot distinguish it from general relativity; the implied lower bound on the density scale, 2.2e+09 kilograms per cubic metre, lies far below the framework's bound of 9.718e+57 kilograms per cubic metre. The study is computed from stated assumptions and published data; it is simulated, not measured.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Published
2026-11-11
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.24133819
Primary Topic
Relativity and Gravitational Theory
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
article

Deflection of Radio Waves by the Sun Measured with Very Long Baseline Interferometry: A Frame Test at the Solar Limb

William Alexander Aldred
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Relativity and Gravitational Theory
article

Deflection of Radio Waves by the Sun Measured with Very Long Baseline Interferometry: A Frame Test at the Solar Limb

William Alexander Aldred
article en

Abstract

This paper computes the deviation of gamma from unity inferred from light deflection for quasar radio waves passing near the Sun within a torsion-regulated gravitational frame — Einstein-Cartan gravity with the density bound that follows from its spin-torsion term — and compares the result with the best published measurement. The relativistic prediction is 0 dimensionless; the published value is -0.0002 plus or minus 0.0003 dimensionless, a residual of -0.0002 dimensionless (-0.6667 standard deviations). Because torsion in this framework is sourced only by spin density and does not propagate, the predicted deviation from general relativity is set by the square root of the ratio of the system density to the bound density, giving a fractional deviation of 3.806e-28 and a correction of 3.806e-28 dimensionless. The measurement bounds any fractional deviation at 0.0008 (two standard deviations), so the framework passes this test with a headroom factor of 2.102e+24. Stated plainly, the test is consistent with the framework but cannot distinguish it from general relativity; the implied lower bound on the density scale, 2.2e+09 kilograms per cubic metre, lies far below the framework's bound of 9.718e+57 kilograms per cubic metre. The study is computed from stated assumptions and published data; it is simulated, not measured.

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Relativity and Gravitational Theory
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.

Laika access coming soon