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Recently Alexeyev et al. published paper (J. Theor. Exper. Phys. v. 165, N 4, p. 508 in Russian; arXiv:2404.16079 [gr-qc], the reference is given also in [1]). In the paper the authors discussed an opportunity of estimating spins from the analysis of the shadow reconstruction of black holes, theoretically considered using the nonlocal gravity model proposed earlier for the description of "quantum" black holes. However, in essence, this paper considered circular photon orbits, and the fact that the corresponding motion parameters determine the shape and size of shadows, similarly to Kerr black holes, remained unproven. It is also remained unproven the statement that for an equatorial observer the shadow size in the direction of rotation of quantum black holes remains independent of spin. A long time ago the shadow property was established for the Kerr black hole case., Comment: Comment on arXiv:2404.16079[gr-qc]; Submitted in Journal of Experimental and Theoretical Physics, 3 pages

In this paper we use a modification of the Newtonian gravitational potential with a non-linear Yukawa-like correction, as it was proposed by C. Will earlier to obtain new bounds on graviton mass from the observed orbits of S-stars around the Galactic Center (GC). This phenomenological potential differs from the gravitational potential obtained in the weak field limit of Yukawa gravity, which we used in our previous studies. We also assumed that the orbital precession of S-stars is close to the prediction of General Relativity (GR) for Schwarzschild precession, but with a possible small discrepancy from it. This assumption is motivated by the fact that the GRAVITY Collaboration in 2020 and in 2022 detected Schwarzschild precession in the S2 star orbit around the Supermassive Black Hole (SMBH) at the GC. Using this approach, we were able to constrain parameter $\lambda$ of the potential and, assuming that it represents the graviton Compton wavelength, we also found the corresponding upper bound of graviton mass. The obtained results were then compared with our previous estimates, as well as with the estimates of other authors., Comment: 16 pages, 4 tables, 3 figures. Accepted for publication in Symmetry

General relativity (GR) passed many astronomical tests but in majority of them GR predictions have been tested in a weak gravitational field approximation. Around 50 years ago a shadow has been introduced by J. Bardeen as a purely theoretical concept but due to an enormous progress in observational and computational facilities this theoretical prediction has been confirmed and the most solid argument for an existence of supermassive black holes in Sgr A* and M87* has been obtained., Comment: 12 pages, 1 figure, presented as a talk at The 6th International Conference on Particle Physics and Astrophysics (ICPPA-2022), accepted in IJMPD

In May 2022 ICRANet organized the Workshop dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Professor Ruffini. This paper is based on the talk delivered at the meeting. Professor Ruffini was well known for Soviet scientific community not only due to his publications in leading journals but also due Russian translations of his books where he was an author or a contributor in collection of articles. But only in 1988 I had an opportunity to watch and listen professor R. Ruffini at the Conference dedicated to the century since the birthday of Alexander Alexandrovich Friedmann. This conference was organized in Leningrad (Soviet Union) in June during a short magic period when there are white nights there. In June 2023 we celebrate the 135th anniversary of Friedmann's birth. Friedmann and his closed friend V. K. Frederics were the founders of Soviet school of general relativity and George Gamow was one of the brilliant representative of the school and he was the author of the hot Universe model which is the most popular now. In the USSR a development of general relativity and relativistic cosmology was not smooth and only in sixties of the last century these branches of science freed from the total control of representatives of the ideology of Marxism -- Leninism. I also discussed a Soviet contribution in a discovery of cosmic microwave background radiation done by T. Shmaonov in 1957 and reasons why his supervisors did not connect these results with the hot Universe models discussed by G. Gamow. Author's results about observational features of supemassive black holes (including the black hole in our Galactic Center) are also briefly discussed, it was considered an opportunity to evaluate a (tidal) charge of Reissner -- Nordstr\"om black hole from observational estimates of shadow size in the Galactic Center and M87* done by the EHT Collaboration based its observations in April 2017., Comment: presented as a talk at ICRANet Meeting in May 2022

Here we study possible improvements of the existing constraints on the upper bound of graviton mass by the analysis of the stellar orbits around the SMBH at the GC in the framework of Yukawa gravity. A motivation for this study is a recent detection of Schwarzschild precession in the orbit of S2 star around the SMBH at the GC by the GRAVITY Collaboration. The authors indicated that the orbital precession of the S2 star is close to the General Relativity (GR) prediction, but with possible small deviation from it, and parametrized this effect by introducing an ad hoc factor in the parametrized PPN equations of motion. Here we use the value of this factor presented by GRAVITY in order to perform two-body simulations of the stellar orbits in massive gravity using equations of motion in the modified PPN formalism, as well as to constrain the range of massive interaction $\Lambda$. From the obtained values of $\Lambda$, and assuming that it corresponds to the Compton wavelength of graviton, we then calculated new estimates for the upper bound of graviton mass which are found to be independent, but consistent with the LIGO's estimate of graviton mass from the first GW signal GW150914 (later this graviton mass estimation was significantly improved with consequent observations of GW events). We also performed calculations including numerical simulations in order to constrain the bounds on graviton mass in the case of a small deviation of the stellar orbits from the corresponding GR predictions and showed that our method could further improve previous estimates for upper bounds on the graviton mass. It is also demonstrated that such analysis of the observed orbits of S-stars around the GC in the frame of the Yukawa gravity represents a tool for constraining the upper bound for the graviton mass, as well as for probing the predictions of GR or other gravity theories., Comment: 16 pages, 3 tables, 8 figures. Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. D

In this paper we investigate a Yukawa gravity modification of the Newtonian gravitational potential in a weak field approximation. For that purpose we derived the corresponding equations of motion and used them to perform two-body simulations of the stellar orbits. In 2020 the GRAVITY Collaboration detected the orbital precession of the S2 star around the supermassive black hole (SMBH) at the Galactic Center (GC) and showed that it is close to the general relativity (GR) prediction. Using this observational fact, we evaluated parameters of the Yukawa gravity (the range of Yukawa interaction $\Lambda$ and universal constant $\delta$) with the Schwarzschild precession of the S-stars assuming that the observed values as indicated by the GRAVITY Collaboration will have a small deviation from GR prediction. GR provides the most natural way to fit observational data for S-star orbits, however, their precessions can be fitted by Yukawa gravity. Our main goal was to study the possible influence of the strength of Yukawa interaction, i.e. the universal constant $\delta$, on the precessions of S-star orbits. We analyze S-star orbits assuming different strength of Yukawa interaction $\delta$ and find that this parameter has strong influence on range of Yukawa interaction $\Lambda$. For that purpose we use PPN equations of motion in order to calculate the simulated orbits of S-stars in GR and Yukawa gravity. Using MCMC simulations we obtain the best-fit values and uncertainties of Yukawa gravity parameters for S-stars. Also, we introduce a new criterion which can be used for classification of gravitational systems in this type of gravity, according to their scales. We demonstrated that performed analysis of the observed S-stars orbits around the GC in the frame of the Yukawa gravity represent a tool for constraining the Yukawa gravity parameters and probing the predictions of gravity theories., Comment: 25 pages, 2 tables, 5 figures. Published in J. Cosmol. Astropart. P

In the framework of Randall -- Sundrum theory with extra dimension Reissner -- Nordstr\"om black hole solutions with a tidal charge have been found. The shadow around the supermassive black hole in M87 was reconstructed in 2019 based on observations with the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) in April 2017. In May 2022 the EHT Collaboration presented results of a shadow reconstruction for our Galactic Center. Earlier, for Reissner -- Nordstr\"om metric we derived analytical expressions for shadow size as a function of charge and later generalized these results for a tidal charge case. We discuss opportunities to evaluate parameters of alternative theories of gravity with shadow size estimates done by the EHT Collaboration, in particular, a tidal charge could be estimated from these observations., Comment: 10 pages, 1 figure, presented at the ICRANet-ISFAHAN Astronomy Meeting, accepted in Astronomical and Astrophysical Transactions; typos were corrected

After giving a short overview of previous results on constraining of Extended Gravity (EG) by stellar orbits, we discuss the Schwarzschild orbital precession of S2 star assuming the congruence with predictions of General Relativity (GR). At the moment, the S2 star trajectory is remarkably fitted with the first post-Newtonian (pN) approximation of GR. In particular, both Keck and VLT (GRAVITY) teams declared that the gravitational redshift near its pericenter passage for the S2 star orbit corresponds to theoretical estimates found with the first pN approximation. In 2020, the GRAVITY Collaboration detected the orbital precession of the S2 star around the supermassive black hole (SMBH) at the Galactic Center (GC) and showed that it is close to the GR prediction. Based on this observational fact, we evaluated parameters of the EG theories with the Schwarzschild precession of the S2 star. Using the mentioned method, we estimate the orbital precession angles for some EG models including power-law f(R), general Yukawa-like corrections, scalar-tensor gravity (STG), and non-local gravity (NLG) theories formulated in both metric and Palatini formalism. In this consideration we assume that a gravitational field is spherically symmetric, therefore, alternative theories of gravity could be described only with a few parameters. Specifically, considering the orbital precession, we estimate the range of parameters of these EG models for which the orbital precession is like in GR. We then compare these results with our previous results, which were obtained by fitting the simulated orbits of S2 star to its observed astrometric positions. In case of power-law f(R), generic Yukawa-like correction, STG and NLG theories, we were able to obtain a prograde orbital precession, like in GR. According to these results, the method is a useful tool to evaluate parameters of the gravitational potential at the GC., Comment: 19 pages, 7 figures. Accepted for publication in Universe

Two groups of astronomers used the large telescopes Keck and VLT for decades to observe trajectories of bright stars near the Galactic Centre. Based on results of their observations the astronomers concluded that trajectories of the stars are roughly elliptical and foci of the orbits are approximately coincide with the Galactic Centre position. In a last few years a self-gravitating dark matter core--halo distribution was suggested by Ruffini, Arguelles, Rueda (RAR) and this model was actively used in consequent studies. In particular, recently it has been claimed that the RAR-model provides a better fit of trajectories of bright stars in comparison to the conventional model with a supermassive black hole. The dark matter distribution with a dense core having a constant density as it was suggested in the RAR-model leaves trajectories of stars elliptical like in Kepler's two-body problem. However, in this case not the foci of the ellipses coincide with the Galactic Center but their centers while the orbital periods do not depend on semi-major axes. These properties are not consistent with the observational data for trajectories of bright stars., Comment: 4 pages, a number of corrections were done in accordance with a version accepted in MNRAS Letters

More than two years ago the Event Horizon Telescope collaboration presented the first image reconstruction around the shadow for the supermassive black hole in M87*. It gives an opportunity to evaluate the shadow size. Recently, the Event Horizon Telescope collaboration constrained parameters ("charges") of spherical symmetrical metrics of black holes from an estimated allowed interval for shadow radius from observations of M87* in 2017. Earlier, analytical expressions for the shadow radius as a function of charge (including a tidal one) in the case of Reissner--Nordstr\"om metric have been obtained. Some time ago, Bin-Nun proposed to apply a Reissner--Nordstr\"om metric with a tidal charge as an alternative to the Schwarzschild metric in Sgr~A*. If we assume that a Reissner--Nordstr\"om black hole with a tidal charge exists in M87*, therefore, based on results of the shadow size evaluation for M87* done by the Event Horizon Telescope collaboration we constrain a tidal charge. Similarly, we evaluate a tidal charge from shadow size estimates for Sgr~A*., Comment: 8 pages, 1 figure, revised according to the version published in Universe

In this study we investigate possible applications of observed S2 orbit around Galactic Center for constraining the Yukawa gravity at scales in the range between several tens and several thousands astronomical units (AU) to obtain graviton mass constraints. In our model we suppose that bulk distribution of matter (includes stellar cluster, interstellar gas distribution and dark matter) exists near Supermassive Black Hole (SMBH) in our Galactic Center. We obtain the values of orbital precession angle for different values of mass density of matter and we require that the value of orbital precession is the same like in General Relativity (GR). From that request we determine gravity parameter $\lambda$ and the upper value for graviton mass. We found that in the cases where the density of extended mass is higher, the maximum allowed value for parameter $\lambda$ is smaller and the upper limit for graviton mass is higher. It is due to the fact that the extended mass causes the retrograde orbital precession. We believe that this study is a very efficient tool to evaluate a gravitational potential at the Galactic Center, parameter $\lambda$ of the Yukawa gravity model, and to constrain the graviton mass., Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, 2 tables. Accepted for publication in Eur. Phys. J. D

An active stage of relativistic astrophysics started in 1963 since in this year, quasars were discovered, Kerr solution has been found and the first Texas Symposium on Relativistic Astrophysics was organized in Dallas. Five years later, in 1967--1968 pulsars were discovered and their model as rotating neutron stars has been proposed, meanwhile J. A. Wheeler claimed that Kerr and Schwarzschild vacuum solutions of Einstein equations provide an efficient approach for astronomical objects with different masses. Wheeler suggested to call these objects black holes. Neutron stars were observed in different spectral band of electromagnetic radiation. In addition, a neutrino signal has been found for SN1987A. Therefore, multi-messenger astronomy demonstrated its efficiency for decades even before observations of the first gravitational radiation sources. However, usually, one has only manifestations of black holes in a weak gravitational field limit and sometimes a model with a black hole could be substituted with an alternative approach which very often looks much less natural, however, it is necessary to find observational evidences to reject such an alternative model. After two observational runs the LIGO-- Virgo collaboration provided a confirmation for an presence of mergers for ten binary black holes and one binary neutron star system where gravitational wave signals were found. In addition, in last years a remarkable progress has been reached in a development of observational facilities to investigate a gravitational potential, for instance, a number of telescopes operating in the Event Horizon Telescope network is increasing and accuracy of a shadow reconstruction near the Galactic Center is improving, meanwhile largest VLT, Keck telescopes with adaptive optics and especially, GRAVITY facilities observe bright IR stars at the Galactic Center with a perfecting accuracy., Comment: 18 pages, an invited plenary talk at Fourth International Conference on Particle Physics and Astrophysics (ICPPA-2018); accepted for publication in a special issue of the International Journal of Modern Physics D

As it was pointed out recently in Hees et al. (2017), observations of stars near the Galactic Center with current and future facilities provide an unique tool to test general relativity (GR) and alternative theories of gravity in a strong gravitational field regime. In particular, the authors showed that the Yukawa gravity could be constrained with Keck and TMT observations. Some time ago, Dadhich et al. (2001) showed that the Reissner -- Nordstr\"om metric with a tidal charge is naturally appeared in the framework of Randall -- Sundrum model with an extra dimension ($Q^2$ is called tidal charge and it could be negative in such an approach). Astrophysical consequences of of presence of black holes with a tidal charge are considerered, in particular, geodesics and shadows in Kerr -- Newman braneworld metric are analyzed in (Schee and Stuchlik, 2009a), while profiles of emission lines generated by rings orbiting braneworld Kerr black hole are considered in (Schee and Stuchlik, 2009b). Possible observational signatures of gravitational lensing in a presence of the Reissner -- Nordstr\"om black hole with a tidal charge at the Galactic Center are discussed in papers by Bin-Nun (2010a, 2010b, 2011). Here we are following such an approach and we obtain analytical expressions for orbital precession for Reissner -- Nordstrom -- de-Sitter solution in post-Newtonian approximation and discuss opportunities to constrain parameters of the metric from observations of bright stars with current and future astrometric observational facilities such as VLT, Keck, GRAVITY, E-ELT and TMT., Comment: 9 pages, references were added, minor typos were corrected

One of the most interesting astronomical objects is the Galactic Center. We concentrate our discussion on a theoretical analysis of observational data of bright stars in the IR-band obtained with large telescopes. We also discuss the importance of VLBI observations of bright structures which could characterize the shadow at the Galactic Center. There are attempts to describe the Galactic Center with alternative theories of gravity and in this case one can constrain parameters of such theories with observational data for the Galactic Center. In particular, theories of massive gravity are intensively developing and theorists have overcome pathologies presented in initial versions of these theories. In theories of massive gravity, a graviton is massive in contrast with GR where a graviton is massless. Now these theories are considered as an alternative to GR. For example, the LIGO-Virgo collaboration obtained the graviton mass constraint of about $1.2 \times 10^{-22}$ eV in their first publication about the discovery of the first gravitational wave detection event that resulted of the merger of two massive black holes. Surprisingly, one could obtain a consistent and comparable constraint of graviton mass at a level around $m_{g} < 2.9 \times 10^{-21}$ eV from analysis of observational data on the trajectory of the star S2 near the Galactic Center. Therefore, observations of bright stars with existing and forthcoming telescopes such as the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) and the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) are extremely useful for investigating the structure of the Galactic Center in the framework of GR, but these observations also give a tool to confirm, rule out or constrain alternative theories of gravity., Comment: 16 pages, presented as a talk at the Third International Conference on Particle Physics and Astrophysics (ICPPA-2017), accepted for publication in the International Journal of Modern Physics D, minor typos were corrected

Recently, the LIGO-Virgo collaboration discovered gravitational waves and in their first publication on the subject the authors also presented a graviton mass constraint as $m_g < 1.2 \times 10^{-22}$ eV (Abbott et al., 2016). In the paper we analyze a potential to reduce upper bounds for graviton mass with future observational data on trajectories of bright stars near the Galactic Center. Since gravitational potentials are different for these two cases, expressions for relativistic advance for general relativity and Yukawa potential are different functions on eccentricity and semimajor axis, it gives an opportunity to improve current estimates of graviton mass with future observational facilities. In our considerations of an improvement potential for a graviton mass estimate we adopt a conservative strategy and assume that trajectories of bright stars and their apocenter advance will be described with general relativity expressions and it gives opportunities to improve graviton mass constraints. In contrast with our previous studies, where we present current constraints on parameters of Yukawa gravity (Borka et al., 2013) and graviton mass (Zakharov et al., 2016) from observations of S2 star, in the paper we express expectations to improve current constraints for graviton mass, assuming the GR predictions about apocenter shifts will be confirmed with future observations. We concluded that if future observations of bright star orbits during around fifty years will confirm GR predictions about apocenter shifts of bright star orbits it give an opportunity to constrain a graviton mass at a level around $5 \times 10^{-23}$ eV or slightly better than current estimates obtained with LIGO observations., Comment: 16 pages, 1 Figure, 1 Table, corrected minor typos

An experimental detection of graviton is extremely hard problem, however, there are different ways to evaluate a graviton mass if it is non-vanishing. Theories of massive gravity or theories with non-vanishing graviton mass initially have a number of pathologies such as discontinuities, ghosts etc. In last years theorists found ways to overcome weaknesses of such theories meanwhile observational features are also discussed. In the first publication reporting about the discovery of gravitational waves from the binary black hole system the LIGO-Virgo collaboration obtained the graviton mass constraint around $1.2 \times 10^{-22}$ eV (later the estimate was improved with new data). A comparable and consistent graviton mass constraint around $2.9 \times 10^{-21}$ eV has been obtained from analysis of the bright star S2 trajectory near the Galactic Center., Comment: 6 pages, presented as an invited talk at the XXXI International Workshop on High Energy Physics (IHEP, Protvino, Russia)

Radiaitve mechanism of conformal symmetry breaking in a comformal-invariant version of the Standard Model is considered. The Coleman-Weinberg mechanism of dimensional transmutation in this system gives rise to finite vacuum expectation values and, consequently, masses of scalar and spinor fields. A natural bootstrap between the energy scales of the top quark and Higgs boson is suggested., Comment: 8 pages

Recently LIGO collaboration discovered gravitational waves \cite{Abbott_16} predicted 100 years ago by A. Einstein. Moreover, in the key paper reporting about the discovery, the joint LIGO \& VIRGO team presented an upper limit on graviton mass such as $m_g < 1.2 \times 10^{-22} eV$ (Abbott et al. (LIGO collaboration) PRL 116 (2016) 061102). Since the graviton mass limit is so small the authors concluded that their observational data do not show violations of classical general relativity. We consider another opportunity to evaluate a graviton mass from phenomenological consequences of massive gravity and show that an analysis of bright star trajectories could bound graviton mass with a comparable accuracy with accuracies reached with gravitational wave interferometers and expected with forthcoming pulsar timing observations for gravitational wave detection. It gives an opportunity to treat observations of bright stars near the Galactic Center as a wonderful tool not only for an evaluation specific parameters of the black hole but also to obtain constraints on the fundamental gravity law such as a modifications of Newton gravity law in a weak field approximation. In particular, we obtain bounds on a graviton mass based on a potential reconstruction at the Galactic Center., Comment: 8 pages, 1 figure

Von Neumann's procedure is applied for quantization of General Relativity. We quantize the initial data of dynamical variables at the Planck epoch, where the Hubble parameter coincides with the Planck mass. These initial data are defined via the Fock simplex in the tangent Minkowskian space-time and the Dirac conformal interval. The Einstein cosmological principle is applied for the average of the spatial metric determinant logarithm over the spatial volume of the visible Universe. We derive the splitting of the general coordinate transformations into the diffeomorphisms (as the object of the second N\"other theorem) and the initial data transformations (as objects of the first N\"other theorem). Following von Neumann, we suppose that the vacuum state is a quantum ensemble. The vacuum state is degenerated with respect to quantum numbers of non-vacuum states with the distribution function that yields the Casimir effect in gravidynamics in analogy to the one in electrodynamics. The generation functional of the perturbation theory in gravidynamics is given as a solution of the quantum energy constraint. We discuss the region of applicability of gravidynamics and its possible predictions for explanation of the modern observational and experimental data., Comment: 14 pages, updated version with extended discussion

New model is suggested, where the Casimir mechanism is the source of masses and conformal symmetry breaking at the Planck epoch in the beginning of the Universe. The mechanism is the Casimir energy and associated condensate, which are resulted from the vacuum postulate and normal ordering of the conformal invariant Hamiltonian with respect to the quantum elementary field operators. It is shown that the Casimir top-quark condensate specifies the value of the Higgs particle mass without involving the Higgs tachyon mass, which is put equal to zero. The Casimir mechanism yields another value of the coupling constant for the self-interaction of scalar field than the standard model does., Comment: 5 pages, no figures, to be published in proceedings of the XXII International Baldin Seminar on High Energy Physics Problems "Relativistic Nuclear Physics and Quantum Chromodynamics", Dubna, Russina, September 15-20, 2014

A mechanism of radiatively induced breaking of the conformal symmetry in the Standard Model is suggested. The system of one scalar (Higgs) and one fermion (top-quark) fields with Yukawa and $\phi^4$ interactions is considered. The infrared instability of the Coleman-Weinberg effective potential for this system leads to the appearance of a finite renormalization scale and thus to breaking of the conformal symmetry. Finite condensates of both scalar and spinor fields appear. It is shown that the top quark condensate can supersede the tachyon mass of the Higgs field. The Higgs boson is treated as an elementary scalar and the standard mechanism of electroweak symmetry breaking remains unchanged. The difference from the Standard Model appears in the value of the Higgs boson self-coupling constant., Comment: 6 pages, Based on the talk presented by A.B. Arbuzov at QUARKS-2014, Suzdal, Russia, 2-8 June, 2014

Using an algebraic condition of vanishing discriminant for multiple roots of fourth degree polynomials we derive an analytical expression of a shadow size as a function of a charge in the Reissner -- Nordstr\"om (RN) metric \cite{Reissner_16,Nordstrom_18}. We consider shadows for negative tidal charges and charges corresponding to naked singularities $q=\mathcal{Q}^2/M^2 > 1$, where $\mathcal{Q}$ and $M$ are black hole charge and mass, respectively, with the derived expression. An introduction of a negative tidal charge $q$ can describe black hole solutions in theories with extra dimensions, so following the approach we consider an opportunity to extend RN metric to negative $\mathcal{Q}^2$, while for the standard RN metric $\mathcal{Q}^2$ is always non-negative. We found that for $q > 9/8$ black hole shadows disappear. Significant tidal charges $q=-6.4$ (suggested by Bin-Nun (2010)) are not consistent with observations of a minimal spot size at the Galactic Center observed in mm-band, moreover, these observations demonstrate that a Reissner -- Nordstr\"om black hole with a significant charge $q \approx 1$ provides a better fit of recent observational data for the black hole at the Galactic Center in comparison with the Schwarzschild black hole., Comment: 18 pages, 1 figure, accepted for publication in Physical Review D. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:astro-ph/0505286, arXiv:1407.2591. substantial text overlap with arXiv:1407.2591

Using Schwarzschild -- de-Sitter (Kottler) metric we derive a simple analytical relation between a shadow size and $\Lambda$-term. Current observations of the smallest spot to evaluate shadow size at the Galactic Center do not reach an accuracy comparable with cosmological $\Lambda$-term $\sim 10^{-52}{\rm m}^{-2}$, however, if in reality we have dark energy instead of a constant $\Lambda$-term then dark energy may be a function depending on time and space and it could be approximated with a local constant $\Lambda$-term near the Galactic Center and it is important to introduce a procedure to evaluate the $\Lambda$-term. We suggest such a procedure based on a black hole shadow evaluation. Surprisingly, current observational estimates of shadows are in agreement with anti-de-Sitter spacetimes corresponding to a negative $\Lambda$-term which is about $-0.4\times 10^{-20}{\rm m}^{-2}$. A negative $\Lambda$-term has been predicted in the framework of a some class of multidimensional string models., Comment: 15 pages, 1 Figure

Here we investigate possible applications of observed stellar orbits around Galactic Center for constraining the R$^n$ gravity at Galactic scales. For that purpose, we simulated orbits of S2-like stars around the massive black hole at Galactic Center, and study the constraints on the R$^n$ gravity which could be obtained by the present and next generations of large telescopes. Our results show that R$^n$ gravity affects the simulated orbits in the qualitatively similar way as a bulk distribution of matter (including a stellar cluster and dark matter distributions) in Newton's gravity. In the cases where the density of extended mass is higher, the maximum allowed value of parameter $\beta$ in R$^n$ gravity is noticeably smaller, due to the fact that the both extended mass and $R^n$ gravity cause the retrograde orbital precession., Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Advances in Space Research

There are different methods for finding exoplanets such as radial spectral shifts, astrometrical measurements, transits, timing etc. Gravitational microlensing (including pixel-lensing) is among the most promising techniques with the potentiality of detecting Earth-like planets at distances about a few astronomical units from their host star or near the so-called snow line with a temperature in the range $0-100^0$ C on a solid surface of an exoplanet. We emphasize the importance of polarization measurements which can help to resolve degeneracies in theoretical models. In particular, the polarization angle could give additional information about the relative position of the lens with respect to the source., Comment: 17 pages, 3 figures, presented at the IX Serbian Conference on Spectral Lines in Astrophysics and the COST Action MP1104 "Polarization as a tool to study the Solar System and beyond", accepted for publication in Advances in Space Research

We consider possible signatures for Yukawa gravity within the Galactic Central Parsec, based on our analysis of the S2 star orbital precession around the massive compact dark object at the Galactic Centre, and on the comparisons between the simulated orbits in Yukawa gravity and two independent sets of observations. Our simulations resulted in strong constraints on the range of Yukawa interaction $\Lambda$ and showed that its most probable value in the case of S2 star is around 5000 - 7000 AU. At the same time, we were not able to obtain reliable constrains on the universal constant $\delta$ of Yukawa gravity, because the current observations of S2 star indicated that it may be highly correlated with parameter $\Lambda$ in the range $(0 <\delta < 1)$. For $\delta > 2$ they are not correlated. However, the same universal constant which was successfully applied to clusters of galaxies and rotation curves of spiral galaxies ($\delta=1/3$) also gives a satisfactory agreement with the observed orbital precession of the S2 star, and in that case the most probable value for the scale parameter is $\Lambda \approx 3000 \pm 1500$ AU. Also, the Yukawa gravity potential induces precession of S2 star orbit in the same direction as General Relativity for $\delta > 0$ and for $\delta < -1$, and in the opposite direction for $-1 <\delta < 0$. The future observations with advanced facilities, such as GRAVITY or/and European Extremely Large Telescope, are needed in order to verify these claims., Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in JCAP

Gravitational microlensing, in case of relevant finite source size effects, provides an unique tool for the study of stellar atmospheres through the enhancement of a characteristic polarization signal. Here, we consider a set of highly magnified events and show that for different types of source stars (as hot, late type main sequence and cool giants) showing that the polarization strength may be of $\simeq 0.04$ percent for late type stars and up to a few percent for cool giants., Comment: Paper to appear in the proceedings of the Thirteenth Marcel Grossmann Meeting (Stockholm, Sweden July 1 - 7, 2012). Two pages

A mechanism of spontaneous conformal symmetry breaking based on field condensates in the Standard Model of strong and electroweak interactions is suggested. It is shown that an existence of the top quark condensate can supersede the tachyon mass term in the Higgs potential in the standard mechanism of electroweak symmetry breaking. Considering the ratio of a field condensate to the corresponding mass power (depending on quantum statistics) for various fields as a conformal invariant, we obtain the Higgs boson mass to be about $130\pm 15$ GeV., Comment: 4 pages, updated version submitted to Phys. Rev. D

Gravitational microlensing, when finite size source effects are relevant, provides an unique tool for the study of source star stellar atmospheres through an enhancement of a characteristic polarization signal. This is due to the differential magnification induced during the crossing of the source star. In this paper we consider a specific set of reported highly magnified, both single and binary exoplanetary systems, microlensing events towards the Galactic bulge and evaluate the expected polarization signal. To this purpose, we consider several polarization models which apply to different types of source stars: hot, late type main sequence and cool giants. As a result we compute the polarization signal P,which goes up to P=0.04% for late type stars and up to a few percent for cool giants, depending on the underlying physical polarization processes and atmosphere model parameters. Given a I band magnitude at maximum magnification of about 12, and a typical duration of the polarization signal up to 1 day, we conclude that the currently available technology, in particular the polarimeter in FORS2 on the VLT, potentially may allow the detection of such signals. This observational programme may take advantage of the currently available surveys plus follow up strategy already routinely used for microlensing monitoring towards the Galactic bulge (aimed at the detection of exoplanets). In particular, this allows one to predict in advance for which events and at which exact time the observing resources may be focused to make intensive polarization measurements., Comment: Accepted for publication on MNRAS, 2012. 13 Pages, 12 Figures and 4 Tables

We study some possible observational signatures of $R^n$ gravity at Galactic scales and how these signatures could be used for constraining this type of $f(R)$ gravity. For that purpose, we performed two-body simulations in $R^n$ gravity potential and analyzed the obtained trajectories of S2-like stars around Galactic center, as well as resulting parameter space of $R^n$ gravity potential. Here, we discuss the constraints on the $R^n$ gravity which can be obtained from the observations of orbits of S2-like stars with the present and next generations of large telescopes. We make comparison between the theoretical results and observations. Our results show that the most probable value for the parameter $r_c$ in $R^n$ gravity potential in the case of S2-like stars is $\sim$100 AU, while the universal parameter $\beta$ is close to 0.01. Also, the $R^n$ gravity potential induces the precession of S2-like stars orbit in opposite direction with respect to General Relativity, therefore, such a behavior of orbits qualitatively is similar to a behavior of Newtonian orbits with a bulk distribution of matter (including a stellar cluster and dark matter distributions)., Comment: 12 pages, 12 figures, accepted in Phys. Rev. D

The Hamiltonian approach to the General Relativity is formulated as a joint nonlinear realization of conformal and affine symmetries by means of the Dirac scalar dilaton and the Maurer-Cartan forms. The dominance of the Casimir vacuum energy of physical fields provides a good description of the type Ia supernova luminosity distance--redshift relation. Introducing the uncertainty principle at the Planck's epoch within our model, we obtain the hierarchy of the Universe energy scales, which is supported by the observational data. We found that the invariance of the Maurer-Cartan forms with respect to the general coordinate transformation yields a single-component strong gravitational waves. The Hamiltonian dynamics of the model describes the effect of an intensive vacuum creation of gravitons and the minimal coupling scalar (Higgs) bosons in the Early Universe., Comment: 37 pages, version submitted to Gen. Rel. Grav

This paper on ASTROD I is based on our 2010 proposal submitted for the ESA call for class-M mission proposals, and is a sequel and an update to our previous paper [Experimental Astronomy 23 (2009) 491-527; designated as Paper I] which was based on our last proposal submitted for the 2007 ESA call. In this paper, we present our orbit selection with one Venus swing-by together with orbit simulation. In Paper I, our orbit choice is with two Venus swing-bys. The present choice takes shorter time (about 250 days) to reach the opposite side of the Sun. We also present a preliminary design of the optical bench, and elaborate on the solar physics goals with the radiation monitor payload. We discuss telescope size, trade-offs of drag-free sensitivities, thermal issues and present an outlook. ASTROD I is a planned interplanetary space mission with multiple goals. The primary aims are: to test General Relativity with an improvement in sensitivity of over 3 orders of magnitude, improving our understanding of gravity and aiding the development of a new quantum gravity theory; to measure key solar system parameters with increased accuracy, advancing solar physics and our knowledge of the solar system; and to measure the time rate of change of the gravitational constant with an order of magnitude improvement and the anomalous Pioneer acceleration, thereby probing dark matter and dark energy gravitationally. It is envisaged as the first in a series of ASTROD missions. ASTROD I will consist of one spacecraft carrying a telescope, four lasers, two event timers and a clock. Two-way, two-wavelength laser pulse ranging will be used between the spacecraft in a solar orbit and deep space laser stations on Earth, to achieve the ASTROD I goals., Comment: 15 pages, 11 figures, 1 table, based on our 2010 proposal submitted for the ESA call for class-M mission proposals, a sequel and an update to previous paper [Experimental Astronomy 23 (2009) 491-527] which was based on our last proposal submitted for the 2007 ESA call, submitted to Experimental Astronomy

The measurement of relativistic effects around the galactic center may allow in the near future to strongly constrain the parameters of the supermassive black hole likely present at the galactic center (Sgr A*). As a by-product of these measurements it would be possible to severely constrain, in addition, also the parameters of the mass-density distributions of both the innermost star cluster and the dark matter clump around the galactic center., Comment: Accepted for publication on General Relativity and Gravitation, 2010. 11 Pages, 1 Figure

The General Relativity formulated with the aid of the spin connection coefficients is considered in the finite space geometry of similarity with the Dirac scalar dilaton. We show that the redshift evolution of the General Relativity describes the vacuum creation of the matter in the empty Universe at the electroweak epoch and the dilaton vacuum energy plays a role of the dark energy., Comment: 9 pages, 1 figure, submitted to PLB

Assuming that supernovae type Ia (SNe Ia) are standard candles one could use them to test cosmological theories. The Hubble Space Telescope team analyzed 186 SNe Ia\cite{Riess_04} to test the Standard Cosmological model (SC) associated with expanded lengths in the Universe and evaluate its parameters. We use the same sample to determine parameters of Conformal Cosmological model (CC) with relative reference units of intervals, so that conformal quantities of General Relativity are interpreted as observables. We concluded, that really the test is extremely useful and allows to evaluate parameters of the model. From a formal statistical point of view the best fit of the CC model is almost the same quality approximation as the best fit of SC model with $\Omega_\Lambda=0.72, \Omega_m=0.28$. As it was noted earlier, for CC models, a rigid matter component could substitute the $\Lambda$-term (or quintessence) existing in the SC model. We note that a free massless scalar field can generate such a rigid matter. We describe results of our analysis for more recent "gold" data (for 192 SNe Ia)., Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures, accepted in International Journal of Modern Physics D

Several exoplanets have been detected towards the Galactic bulge with the microlensing technique. We show that exoplanets in M31 may also be detected with the pixel-lensing method, if telescopes making high cadence observations of an ongoing microlensing event are used. Using a Monte Carlo approach we find that the mean mass for detectable planetary systems is about $2 M_{\rm {J}}$. However, even small mass exoplanets ($M_{\rm P} < 20 M_{\oplus}$) can cause significant deviations, which are observable with large telescopes. We reanalysed the POINT-AGAPE microlensing event PA-99-N2. First, we test the robustness of the binary lens conclusion for this light curve. Second, we show that for such long duration and bright microlensing events, the efficiency for finding planetary-like deviations is strongly enhanced with respect to that evaluated for all planetary detectable events., Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures. Paper presented at the "II Italian-Pakistani Workshop on Relativistic Astrophysics, Pescara, July 8-10, 2009. To be published in a special issue of General Relativity and Gravitation (eds. F. De Paolis, G.F.R. Ellis, A. Qadir and R. Ruffini)

We show that exoplanets in the M31 galaxy may be detected with the pixel-lensing method by using telescopes making high cadence observations of an ongoing microlensing event. Although the mean mass for detectable exoplanets is about $2 M_{\rm {J}}$, even small mass exoplanets ($M_{\rm P} < 20 M_{\oplus}$) can cause significant deviations, which are observable with large telescopes. We reanalysed the POINT-AGAPE microlensing event PA-99-N2. First, we test the robustness of the binary lens conclusion for this light curve. Second, we show that for such long duration and bright microlensing events, the efficiency for finding planetary-like deviations is strongly enhanced., Comment: Paper in the proceedings of the "Twelfth Marcel Grosmann Meeting", held in Paris (France), 12-18, July, 2009

We study the possibility to detect extrasolar planets in M31 through pixel-lensing observations. Using a Monte Carlo approach, we select the physical parameters of the binary lens system, a star hosting a planet, and we calculate the pixel-lensing light curve taking into account the finite source effects. Indeed, their inclusion is crucial since the sources in M31 microlensing events are mainly giant stars. Light curves with detectable planetary features are selected by looking for significant deviations from the corresponding Paczy\'{n}ski shapes. We find that the time scale of planetary deviations in light curves increase (up to 3-4 days) as the source size increases. This means that only few exposures per day, depending also on the required accuracy, may be sufficient to reveal in the light curve a planetary companion. Although the mean planet mass for the selected events is about $2 M_{\rm {Jupiter}}$, even small mass planets ($M_{\rm P} < 20 M_{\oplus}$) can cause significant deviations, at least in the observations with large telescopes. However, even in the former case, the probability to find detectable planetary features in pixel-lensing light curves is at most a few percent of the detectable events, and therefore many events have to be collected in order to detect an extrasolar planet in M31. Our analysis also supports the claim that the anomaly found in the candidate event PA-99-N2 towards M31 can be explained by a companion object orbiting the lens star., Comment: Accepted for publication on Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (MNRAS), 2009

General Relativity and Standard Model are considered as a theory of dynamical scale symmetry with definite initial data compatible with the accepted Higgs mechanism. In this theory the Early Universe behaves like a factory of electroweak bosons and Higgs scalars, and it gives a possibility to identify three peaks in the Cosmic Microwave Background power spectrum with the contributions of photonic decays and annihilation processes of primordial Higgs, W, and Z bosons in agreement with the QED coupling constant, Weinberg's angle, and Higgs' particle mass of about 118 GeV., Comment: version to appear in Yadernaya Fizika

We consider the influence of microlensing on different spectral bands of lensed QSOs. We assumed that the emitting X-ray, UV and optical regions are different in size, but that the continuum emission in these spectral bands is originating from an accretion disc. Estimations of the time scales for microlensing and flux amplification in different bands are given. We found that the microlensing duration should be shorter in the X-ray (several months) than in UV/optical emitting region (several years). This result indicates that monitoring of the X-ray variations in lensed QSOs that show a 'flux anomaly' can clarify the source of this anomaly., Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures and 2 tables. Accepted for publication in MNRAS

The existence of dark matter (DM) at scales of few pc down to $\simeq 10^{-5}$ pc around the centers of galaxies and in particular in the Galactic Center region has been considered in the literature. Under the assumption that such a DM clump, principally constituted by non-baryonic matter (like WIMPs) does exist at the center of our galaxy, the study of the $\gamma$-ray emission from the Galactic Center region allows us to constrain both the mass and the size of this DM sphere. Further constraints on the DM distribution parameters may be derived by observations of bright infrared stars around the Galactic Center. Hall and Gondolo \cite{hallgondolo} used estimates of the enclosed mass obtained in various ways and tabulated by Ghez et al. \cite{Ghez_2003,Ghez_2005}. Moreover, if a DM cusp does exist around the Galactic Center it could modify the trajectories of stars moving around it in a sensible way depending on the DM mass distribution. Here, we discuss the constraints that can be obtained with the orbit analysis of stars (as S2 and S16) moving inside the DM concentration with present and next generations of large telescopes. In particular, consideration of the S2 star apoastron shift may allow improving limits on the DM mass and size., Comment: in press on Phys. Rev. D