Lorentz Violation by the Preferred Frame Effects and Cosmic and Gamma Ray Propagation

The ‘relativity with a preferred frame’, designed to reconcile the relativity principle with the existence of the cosmological preferred frame, incorporates the preferred frame at the level of special relativity (SR) while retaining the fundamental spacetime symmetry, which, in the standard SR, manifests itself as Lorentz invariance. In this paper, the processes, accompanying the propagation of cosmic rays and gamma rays through the background radiation from distant sources to Earth, are considered on the basis of particle dynamics and electromagnetic field dynamics developed within the framework of the ‘relativity with a preferred frame’. Applying the theory to the photopion-production and pair-production processes shows that the modified particle dynamics and electrodynamics lead to measurable signatures in the observed cosmic and gamma-ray spectra which can provide an interpretation of some puzzling features found in the observational data. Other processes responsible for gamma-ray attenuation are considered. It is found, in particular, that electromagnetic cascades, developing on cosmic microwave background and extragalactic background light, may be reduced or suppressed due to the preferred frame effects which should influence the shape of the very high-energy gamma-ray spectra. Other possible observational consequences of the theory, such as the birefringence of light propagating in vacuo and dispersion, are discussed.

Cosmology and Cosmic Rays Propagation in the Relativity with a Preferred Frame

In this chapter, cosmological models and the processes accompanying the propagation of the cosmic rays on cosmological scales are considered based on particle dynamics, electrodynamics and general relativity (GR) developed from the basic concepts of the ‘relativity with a preferred frame’. The ‘relativity with a preferred frame’, designed to reconcile the relativity principle with the existence of the cosmological preferred frame, incorporates the preferred frame at the fundamental level of special relativity (SR) while retaining the fundamental space-time symmetry which, in the standard SR, manifests itself as Lorentz invariance. The cosmological models based on the modified GR of the ‘relativity with a preferred frame’ allow us to explain the SNIa observational data without introducing the dark energy and also fit other observational data, in particular, the BAO data. Applying the theory to the photo pion-production and pair-production processes, accompanying the propagation of the Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays (UHECR) and gamma rays through the universal diffuse background radiation, shows that the modified particle dynamics, electrodynamics and GR lead to measurable signatures in the observed cosmic rays spectra which can provide an interpretation of some puzzling features found in the observational data. Other possible observational consequences of the theory, such as the birefringence of light propagating in vacuo and dispersion, are discussed.

Why Not a Sound Postulate?

What, if anything, would be wrong with replacing the light postulate in Einstein’s 1905 formulation of special relativity with a ‘sound postulate’, stating that the speed of sound is independent of the speed of the source? After reviewing the historical reasons underlying the particular focus on light in the special theory, we consider the circumstances under which such a theory of ‘sonic relativity’ would be justified on empirical grounds. We then consider the philosophical upshots of ‘sonic relativity’ for four contemporary areas of investigation in the philosophy of spacetime: (i) global versus subsystem symmetries, (ii) dynamical versus geometrical approaches to spacetime, (iii) the possibility of a preferred frame in theories of quantum gravity, and (iv) spacetime functionalism.

Time dilation in the GPS invalidates the relativity principle

Asymmetrical time dilation in the Global Positioning System (GPS) invalidates the relativity principle of special relativity since it confirms the existence of a preferred frame that is prohibited by the principle. It also contradicts symmetrical time dilation predicted by special relativity.

Dynamic medium of reference: A new theory of gravitation

The object of this article is to present a new theory based on the introduction of a non-material medium which makes it possible to obtain a Preferred Frame of Reference (in the context of special relativity) or a Reference (in the context of general relativity), that is to say a dynamic medium of reference. The theory of the dynamic medium of reference is an extension of Lorentz‐Poincaré’s theory in the domain of gravitation in which instruments (clocks, rulers) are perturbed by gravitation and where only the measure of the speed of light always gives the same result. The presence of a massive body creates a centripetal flux of the medium, which has three fundamental effects: the dilatation of the period of material clocks, the contraction of the length of material rulers, and the slowdown of light. Thanks to the centripetal flux of the medium and these three effects, it is possible to find the correct expression of the deflection of a ray of light and the Shapiro delay. The dynamic medium of reference allows to establish a gravitational transformation and to find the fundamental equations of movement for light and matter. Hence, the theory of the dynamic medium of reference allows to find the main results of general relativity, but with important differences: The simultaneity is absolute, existence of the Preferred Frame of Reference, the physical reality is the universal present moment and not a global space-time (block-universe), light is slowed down by a gravitational field.

The Sagnac and Hafele–Keating experiments: Two keys to the understanding of space–time physics in the vicinity of the Earth

The role of preferred frames for light propagation and time dilation in the region of a massive, spherical, gravitating bodies, where according to general relativity, space–time curvature is described by the Schwarzschild metric equation, is discussed in the context of the Sagnac effect (for light propagation) and the Hafele–Keating experiment (for time dilation). Predictions for both translational and rotational motion relative to the preferred frame are calculated up to order [Formula: see text]. Different published theoretical calculations of the Sagnac effect are critically reviewed. The conflation in the literature of measured time differences in Sagnac experiments (a classical order [Formula: see text] effect) and time dilation (a relativistic order [Formula: see text] effect) are also discussed.

Relativistic celestial mechanics at sub-microarcsecond accuracy level

Einstein stated two dictums, so that more experimental facts can replace the previously adopted hypotheses and General Relativity (GR) can evolve to “grand aim” or perfection. In the absence of appropriate experimental facts during pre-CEREPAC (Century-long Experience of Relativity-related Experiments on Physics, Astronomy and Celestial-mechanics) era, Einstein found no “escape” from the consequence of non-Euclidean geometry, while keeping all frames permissible based on contemporary knowledge. Bergmann also stated in 1968 that the “principle of general covariance” has brought about serious complication in GR. During CEREPAC, relativists and mathematical-astronomers invariably identified the appropriate “nature’s preferred-frame,” which was later found essential for operation of conservation laws. Based on CEREPAC, replacing the experimentally unverifiable hypotheses with experimentally proven principles, and improving upon the GR-astronomers model (developed by JPL, USA, as an evolved-version of GR-conventional model) in two successive stages, GR was remodeled to what became evident as Evolved GR (EGR), after it enabled the elimination of all earlier-adopted ad-hoc methods or approaches, and of the problems, paradoxes and anomalies, associated with the applications of GR, during CEREPAC, and after it unraveled the “General-relativistic nature of speed-of-light (c)” which links the variable c r with F r, the local Gravitational Red-Shift Factor (as stated by Einstein between 1911‐1921). As a consequence of the space-age developments in numerical simulation and in the availability of precision observational data, it got proven that nature itself operates the conservation laws of energy, and of linear and angular momentums (both magnitudes and directions), with respect to the appropriate “nature’s preferred frame”; this provided sufficient reason for giving up the “relativity of all frames,” bringing back Euclidean geometry in EGR. Euclidean space in EGR enabled development of a Prototype of future Ephemerides, leading to five orders-of-magnitude improvement in accuracy of computation of precession of celestial orbits, using three independent methods; this methodology of Prototype Ephemeris and “three-methods-match” can also be applied while remaining exclusively within the precincts of GR, by using one alternative mode of running the EGR program for planetary and Lunar orbits, by opting for GRTOPT=Y; this mode utilizes exclusively the GR equations instead of EGR equations; in fact, this mode is the GR-astronomers (modified) model that was really an intermediate stage of evolution (as mentioned above) between the GR-astronomers model and the EGR model. This model incorporates: (1) All good (and, experimentally proven) features from the three generations of GR models (Einstein’s original, Bergmann’s and Misner-Thorne-Wheeler or MTW), and (2) The “Nature-adopted” real orbital model (as proven from comparison of the computed precession values at Micro-arcsecond {μas} level using the “three-methods-match”) for its Methodology for Conservation of Linear and Orbital Angular Momentums, in a polar coordinate system (r, , Φ). This model computes: (1) Precession of celestial orbits at nearly the same accuracy as that done using the EGR model, and (2) About three digit more accurate (than reported by Folkner in 2014, from fitting lunar laser ranging data with an updated lunar gravity field from the GRAIL mission, etc.) orbits of inner planets and the Moon.