Gravitational Bending of Starlight: Does the Factor 2 Vindicate Einstein?

Abstract

As currently understood, the predictions of Newtonian and Einsteinian gravitation on the issue of the gravitational bending of starlight differ by a factor 2 and this factor has been used to post Einsteinian gravitation as the superior gravitational model. The pioneering May 29, 1919, total eclipse observational measurements led by Sir Arthur S. Eddington heralded Einsteinian gravitation as the new superior model of gravitation by confirming this factor 2 which is assumed to be a prerogative prediction of Einsteinian gravitation. Subsequent eclipse observational measurements in the years (1922-1973) have reasonably agreed with the Eddington team. However, apart from the most precise quasar observational measurements made using the latest technologies of Very Large Baseline Array (VLBA), the factor 2 as measured in total eclipse observations is not exactly reproduced with the same hairs-breath accuracy as in the case of the VLBA measurements. Our result unequivocally demonstrates that if one where to preserve the identity of the inertia and gravitational mass of the photon in their calculations in the framework of Newtonian gravitation, the Newtonian gravitational paradigm can be brought into complete tandem with both the VLBA and eclipse observational measurements. Given the present result, the dominance of the Einsteinian gravitational paradigm since the Eddington measurement, and, the centrality and importance of this factor 2 in posting the Einsteinian paradigm as the superior model, this letter brings the reader to ponder and rethink the position of this factor 2 vis-a-vis its importance in overthrowing Newtonian gravitation as first assumed by the Eddington team.