Van Flandern–Yang hypothesis

The van Flandern–Yang hypothesis is the theory attempting to explain the unusual anomalies of about 7×10−8 m/s2 observed [1] in the solar eclipse of March 9, 1997. This hypothesis[2] conjectures that the gravity anomalies are due to a travelling density spot in the upper atmosphere caused by the cooling during the solar eclipse (although at its end, this article admits that the suggestion cannot explain the claimed Allais effect - thus contradicting its title). This requires the cooled region should travel at a speed of about 500 to 1000 m/s. Theoretically, an increase in density of 0.1% could explain the observed anomalies, but these effects have no direct evidence in observations. In addition, the pressure variations used for such calculations are extreme values, and in reality such pressure changes were not observed yet. Nor have the high-altitude high-speed winds implied by this hypothesis ever been detected, although they would potentially be dangerous to aircraft. [3]

A detailed review of this hypothesis was summarized in the unpublished article by C. P. Duif.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Q.-S. Wang, X.-S.Yang, C.-Z. Wu, H.-G. Guo, H.-C. Liu and C.-C. Hua, Precise measurement of gravity variations during a total solar eclipse, Phys. Rev. D 62, 041101(2000).
  2. ↑ T. van Flandern and X.-S. Yang, Allais gravity and pendulum effects during solar eclipses explained, Phys. Rev. D 67 (2003) 022002.
  3. ↑ X.-S. Yang and Q.S. Wang, Gravity anomaly during the Mohe total solar eclipse and new constraint on gravitational shielding parameter, Astrophys. Space Sci. 282, (2002) 245.
  4. ↑ C. P. Duif, A review of conventional explanations of anomalous observations during solar eclipses,http://arxiv.org/pdf/gr-qc/0408023