Constraints on R-n gravity from precession of orbits of S2-like stars: A case of a bulk distribution of mass

Abstract

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 Newtons 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. (C) 2014 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.