You might be right in my misconception. Let me summarize the following and see what you think? Yes, in GR, the distortion in spacetime created by a mass propagates at light speed. However, if this theory of light speed propagation is applied to gravity in Newtonian mechanics then certain Newtonian solutions no longer apply even though observationally and quantitatively they do. An example here is anyting where distances become vast enough to factor in gravitational delay such as astronomical problems. As a result, gravity limited to light speed in the Newtonian case becomes problematic. Naturally, Newtonian physics and GR are quite different in concept. Gravity is not technically a force in GR and some care needs to be taken to not ignore velocity of the object. When examining weak gravitational fields, the direction of the field is dependent on both the source position and velocity with a possible net cancellation of propagation delay. This brings some agreement between Newtonian mechanics and GR.

• Cancelation of retardation - Dlng - March 8, 2000 - 04:22 UTC
  • RE: Cancelation of retardation - Kev - March 8, 2000 - 15:08 UTC
    • RE: RE: Cancelation of retardation - - March 10, 2000 - 01:41 UTC