Mysteries Department
Sign inRequest access
0

If the anomaly is real new physics, what kind?

Asked 26 Oct 2026 by ·Part of What produces the velocity changes seen in some Earth flybys?·4 answers·0·0 following
Four answers, none aheadNone is ahead yet. See what would settle it.

Where it stands

Four answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Four are still possible.

Why it matters

Several theories have been fitted to the flyby values⁠[1]⁠[2]⁠[3]; each must also survive the null flybys and other precision tests near Earth.

Answers 4

Evidence: 1 for
Still possible
Evidence: none yet
Still possible
None of these.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: none yet
Still possible
Scattering off dark matter bound to Earth.
Failed a test; not refuted outright
Evidence: 1 against
Disputed

History

  1. McCulloch puts forward: a modification of inertia depending on acceleration relative to the rotating Earth.
  2. McCulloch: three of six early flybys reproduced within error; the others off by 1 to 3 mm/s.For: A modification of inertia depending on acceleration relative to the rotating Earth.
  3. Adler puts forward: scattering off dark matter bound to Earth.
  4. Adler: requires densities many orders above the halo and unusual dark matter properties.Against: Scattering off dark matter bound to Earth.
  5. Biswas puts forward: an effect within a reformulation of general relativity.
  6. Asked on this site
Add evidence
1What it bears on2What you found3Where it comes from
Which answer?
Does it count for or against it?
In a sentence, what did you find?
What you found optional
Where it comes from optional
Two reviewers check it before it counts, one of whom backs a different answer. You'll hear back by email: accepted, needs changes, or a duplicate.
Propose an answer
Your answer, in a sentence
What would rule it out? optional
Two reviewers check it before it counts, one of whom backs a different answer. You'll hear back by email: accepted, needs changes, or a duplicate.
Ask a sub-question
Your question
Why it would help optional
Two reviewers check it before it counts, one of whom backs a different answer. You'll hear back by email: accepted, needs changes, or a duplicate.
Add a source
The source
What it shows about this question optional
Two reviewers check it before it counts, one of whom backs a different answer. You'll hear back by email: accepted, needs changes, or a duplicate.

Discussion 0

Add to the discussion