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Limits on variation of G from clusters of galaxies

Abstract

IF G decreases by a sufficient amount a cluster of particles will expand. In some cases the particles may have sufficient velocity to escape from the cluster as the gravitational binding decreases. Since it is known that clusters of galaxies and globular clusters currently exist with finite dimensions, limits can be set on the magnitude of the variation of G. In order to set a limit on the rate of change of the gravitational constant (Ġ/G), the dynamical effects on an isolated cluster of galaxies caused by non zero values of Ġ/G were studied numerically. For a range of initial conditions, the maximum rate of change in G was determined which would still allow the existence of clusters of galaxies at the current epoch. A similar study was made for globular clusters and the results were found to be comparable.

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DEARBORN, D., SCHRAMM, D. Limits on variation of G from clusters of galaxies. Nature 247, 441–443 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/247441a0

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