Astrophysical Tests of Gravity

Bhuvnesh Jain

February 21, 2013

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Abstract: Modified gravity theories are being proposed as an alternative to dark energy. I will introduce some of the ideas being developed and show tests using current data. I will argue that the best ways of testing modified gravity differ from cosmological probes of dark energy. In particular the observational strategy ought to include small scale tests that rely on the morphology and kinematics of galaxies. I will describe such tests that use nearby dwarf galaxies and reinterpret distance indicators like cepheid variables.