Volume 23: Pages 588-593, 2010
A note on the incorrect derivation of light deflection by a gravitating body in general relativity theory
Jaroslav Hynecek 1
1Isetex, Inc., 905 Pampa Drive, Allen, Texas 75013, USA
In this article, it is shown that the calculation of the light deflection in the field of a gravitating body in general relativity theory (GRT) is incorrect since it does not follow the well know Fermat principle from optics. Instead an ad hoc principle is used that violates the basic tenets of relativity in order to force an agreement with observations. The Fermat principle has to be satisfied since it follows from the wave equation that guides the photon propagation. This is a fatal problem for the GRT with the root cause traced to the Schwarzschild metric, which does not describe the reality correctly. When the author’s new metric is used, the standard Fermat principle can be generalized and used leading to the results agreeing with observations and experiments. This article also briefly comments on the role of coordinates in measurements concluding that the natural coordinates are the ones that correspond to reality.
Keywords: General Relativity Theory, Light Deflection by a Gravitating Body, Schwarzschild Metric, Fermat Principle, Lagrange Formalism, Incorrect Derivation of Light Deflection in GRT, Natural Coordinates, Harmonic Coordinates, Isotropic Coordinates
Received: July 6, 2010; Accepted: September 13, 2010; Published Online: October 6, 2010
