Cosmic rays and galactic rotation curves

A theoretical basis for modifying Newtonian dynamics on a galactic scale can be obtained by postulating that cosmic rays interact with graviton exchanges between distant masses. This assumes that these charged particles move under the influence of local electromagnetic fields rather than the weak gravitational fields of distant matter. It leads to an enhancement of graviton exchanges between distant masses via an additional gravitational force term inversely proportional to distance. At planetary and local interstellar distances this predicts an extremely small additional gravitational force, but it can become significant on a galactic scale. The model is used here to predict rotational velocities in a wide range of galaxies including the Milky Way, Andromeda (M31) and some galaxies in the THINGS study. Results are obtained assuming a galactic cosmic ray density consistent with observations in the solar system. This approach is compared with the dark matter hypothesis and with Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND), the two primary postulates used to explain the constant rotational velocities observed in most galaxies.