Testing the Hypothesis of Modified Dynamics with Low Surface Brightness Galaxies and Other Evidence

Abstract

The rotation curves of low surface brightness galaxies provide a unique data set with which to test alternative theories of gravitation over a large dynamic range in size, mass, surface density, and acceleration. Many clearly fail, including any in which the mass discrepancy appears at a particular length-scale. One hypothesis, MOND [Milgrom 1983, ApJ, 270, 371], is consistent with the data. Indeed, it accurately predicts the observed behavior. We find no evidence on any scale which clearly contradicts MOND, and a good deal which supports it.

Comments: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal. 35 pages AAStex + 9 figures. This result surprised the bejeepers out of us, too