Aether scalar tensor theory confronted with weak lensing data at small accelerations

Abstract

Context.The recently proposed aether scalar tensor (AeST) model reproduces both the successes of particle dark matter on cosmological scales and those of modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND) on galactic scales. But the AeST model reproduces MOND only up to a certain maximum galactocentric radius. Since MOND is known to fit very well to observations at these scales, this raises the question of whether the AeST model comes into tension with data.Aims.We tested whether or not the AeST model is in conflict with observations using a recent analysis of data for weak gravitational lensing.Methods.We solved the equations of motion of the AeST model, analyzed the solutions’ behavior, and compared the results to observational data.Results.The AeST model shows some deviations from MOND at the radii probed by weak gravitational lensing. The data show no clear indication of these predicted deviations.