We consider the family of singularity-free rotating black hole solutions in Einsteins conformal gravity found in Bambi, Modesto & Rachwal (2017) and we constrain the value of the conformal parameter $L$ from the analysis of a 30 ks NuSTAR observation of the stellar-mass black hole in GS 1354-645 during its outburst in 2015. Our new constraint is much stronger than that found in previous work. Here we obtain $L/M < 0.12$ (99% confidence level, statistical uncertainty only).
We present a family of extensions of spherically symmetric Einstein-Lanczos-Lovelock gravity. The field equations are second order and obey a generalized Birkhoffs theorem. The Hamiltonian constraint can be written in terms of a generalized Misner-Sharp mass function that determines the form of the vacuum solution. The action can be designed to yield interesting non-singular black-hole spacetimes as the unique vacuum solutions, including the Hayward black hole as well as a completely new one. The new theories therefore provide a consistent starting point for studying the formation and evaporation of non-singular black holes as a possible resolution to the black hole information loss conundrum.
We use data from Supernovae (SNIa) Pantheon sample, from Baryonic Acoustic Oscillations (BAO), and from cosmic chronometers measurements of the Hubble parameter (CC), alongside arguments from Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN), in order to extract constraints on Myrzakulov $F(R,T)$ gravity. This is a connection-based theory belonging to the Riemann-Cartan subclass, that uses a specific but non-special connection, which then leads to extra degrees of freedom. Our analysis shows that both considered models lead to $sim 1 sigma$ compatibility in all cases. For the involved dimensionless parameter we find that it is constrained to an interval around zero, however the corresponding contours are slightly shifted towards positive values. Furthermore, we use the obtained parameter chains so to reconstruct the corresponding Hubble function, as well as the dark-energy equation-of-state parameter, as a function of redshift. As we show, Model 1 is very close to $Lambda$CDM scenario, while Model 2 resembles it at low redshifts, however at earlier times deviations are allowed. Finally, applying the AIC, BIC and the combined DIC criteria, we deduce that both models present a very efficient fitting behavior, and are statistically equivalent with $Lambda$CDM cosmology, despite the fact that Model 2 does not contain the latter as a limit.
Ghost-free bimetric gravity is a theory of two interacting spin-2 fields, one massless and one massive, in addition to the standard matter particles and fields, thereby generalizing Einsteins theory of general relativity. To parameterize the theory, we use five observables with specific physical interpretations. We present, for the first time, observational constraints on these parameters that: (i) apply to the full theory, (ii) are consistent with a working screening mechanism (i.e., restoring general relativity locally), (iii) exhibit a continuous, real-valued background cosmology (without the Higuchi ghost). For the cosmological constraints, we use data sets from the cosmic microwave background, baryon acoustic oscillations, and type Ia supernovae. Bimetric cosmology provides a good fit to data even for large values of the mixing angle between the massless and massive gravitons. Interestingly, the best-fit model is a self-accelerating solution where the accelerated expansion is due to the dynamical massive spin-2 field, without a cosmological constant. Due to the screening mechanism, the models are consistent with local tests of gravity such as solar system tests and gravitational lensing by galaxies. We also comment on the possibility of alleviating the Hubble tension with this theory.
We construct a two-dimensional action that is an extension of spherically symmetric Einstein-Lanczos-Lovelock gravity. The action contains arbitrary functions of the areal radius and the norm squared of its gradient, but the field equations are second order and obey Birkhoffs theorem. In complete analogy with spherically symmetric Einstein-Lanczos-Lovelock gravity, the field equations admit the generalized Misner-Sharp mass as the first integral that determines the form of the vacuum solution. The arbitrary functions in the action allow for vacuum solutions that describe a larger class of interesting nonsingular black-hole spacetimes than previously available.
Recently considered a very attracting possibility to detect retro-MACHOs, i.e. retro-images of the Sun by a Schwarzschild black hole. In this paper we discuss glories (mirages) formed near rapidly rotating Kerr black hole horizons and propose a procedure to measure masses and rotation parameters analyzing these forms of mirages. In some sense that is a manifestation of gravitational lens effect in the strong gravitational field near black hole horizon and a generalization of the retro-gravitational lens phenomenon. We analyze the case of a Kerr black hole rotating at arbitrary speed for some selected positions of a distant observer with respect to the equatorial plane of a Kerr black hole. We discuss glories (mirages) formed near rapidly rotating Kerr black hole horizons and propose a procedure to measure masses and rotation parameters analyzing these forms of mirages. Some time ago suggested to search shadows at the Galactic Center. In this paper we present the boundaries for shadows calculated numerically. We also propose to use future radio interferometer RADIOASTRON facilities to measure shapes of mirages (glories) and to evaluate the black hole spin as a function of the position angle of a distant observer.