Could frame dragging explain dark matter on a large scale?

[RonH]

This is first post so bear with me.

This might be totally a blue sky thought ( ok it almost assuredly is ).

But when reading about the frame dragging near black holes I wondered if this effect might also be seen ( at a far lower intensity ) in the motion of galaxies.

Not suggesting that space is a fluid, but wondering if the billions of stars in a galaxy, moving in generally the same direction might be subtly dragging space, and the other stars, along with it.

This would, I think result in an observer outside of the galaxy noting that the stars of a galaxy having an apparent velocity exceeding the escape velocity of the observable mass. Particularly on the outer edges, as you rear the center of the mass the "flow" should be less apperent due to the shorter distances involved, but should be observable one would think. ( hears the branch creaking under me )

They could not observe that the space flowing with the stars lowers the actual velocity in respect the the local geometry.

On a massive scale could such a mechanism account for the discrepancy attributed to dark matter?

Respectfully,

Ron

 

[mfb]

Do you really think no one had that idea before? Thousands of experts in general relativity overlooking one of the most basic effects of the theory in their whole working life?

It has been considered, of course. It is negligible. It would be taken into account if it would have any measurable effect. The stars are too slow and too spread out for that.

 

[RonH]

Do you really think no one had that idea before? Thousands of experts in general relativity overlooking one of the most basic effects of the theory in their whole working life?

It has been considered, of course. It is negligible. It would be taken into account if it would have any measurable effect. The stars are too slow and too spread out for that.

Figures

 

[jedishrfu]

Like all good ideas someone has thought of it before. This is a mantra that would comeup in our patent review meetings at work. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep thinking those good ideas.

Take care

Jedi