Posted on 06/14/2025 8:10:12 PM PDT by nickcarraway
If it’s out there, could we observe it soon?
Here’s what you’ll learn when you read this story:
Some physicists believe that a fifth fundamental force could be the cause of some observational anomalies.
A study is investigating ways to closely examine the trajectories of well-documented asteroids to hopefully detect anomalies that could provide evidence of such a force. Although the study shows no fifth force anomaly present in the asteroid Bennu, future explorations of the asteroid Apophis could provide an even better chance to find this elusive force—if it exists at all.
According to the current Standard Model, four fundamental forces underpin all known physics: electromagnetism, gravity, and the strong and weak nuclear forces. However, since the mid-1980s, physicists have wondered if a fifth fundamental force could exist, which would help to explain some observational anomalies. And since then, many studies have boldly claimed discovery of this elusive force.
In 1986, for example, scientists at MIT thought that antigravity could maybe could be a fifth force, and in 2000, another group named the force “quintessence” as a way to explain dark energy. In 2015, a study by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences discovered a particle 30 times heavier than an electron that could form the basis of a fifth force, and the U.S.-based Fermilab stated boldly that they were on the cusp of discovering this mysterious force in 2023.
And, of course, there’s a strong contingent of physicists who think a fifth force doesn’t exist at all.
One proposed way of examining if such a force could exist is by closely monitoring asteroid trajectories, and few near-Earth asteroids are as well observed as Bennu. A study by an international team of scientists analyzes Bennu to try and placing constraints on a possible fifth fundamental force in the search of ultralight dark matter.
Bennu, one of the most dangerous near-Earth objects, has been meticulously tracked by optical and radar astrometric data since it was discovered in 1999. As the destination for the OSIRIS-REx asteroid retrieval mission, additional X-band radiometric and optical navigation tracking data added even more trajectory precision.
The idea is that any deviation in the expected trajectory of the asteroid could be the result of an unknown fifth force at work. The results of the study were published in the journal Nature Communications Physics.
“Interpreting the data we see from tracking Bennu has the potential to add to our understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of the universe, potentially revamping our understanding of the Standard Model of physics, gravity and dark matter,” Yu-Dai Tsai, the lead author on the paper, said in a press statement. “The trajectories of objects often feature anomalies that can be useful in discovering new physics.”
The trajectories of heavenly objects have yielded incredible discoveries before. Neptune, for example, was first “discovered” not through a telescope, but by the meticulous calculations of Uranus’ orbit and discovery of gravitational anomalies therein. However, such a technique isn’t foolproof, as some scientists also believed that a planet named Vulcan existed between the Sun and Mercury. This, obviously, turned out to be false.
“These results highlight the potential for asteroid tracking as a valuable tool in the search for ultralight bosons, dark matter, and several well-motivated extensions of the Standard Model,” Sunny Vagnozzi, assistant professor at the University of Trento in Italy and study co-author, said in a press statement.
While this study didn’t find “evidence in the data for the presence of a fifth force affecting the motion of Bennu,” the ORSIRIS-REx’s sequel, OSIRIS-APEX, could provide even more data as the mission zooms onward toward the asteroid Apophis. Because this asteroid will zoom by Earth in 2029, a detailed study of its trajectory will deliver even further restrictions on the fifth force than what Bennu could provide.
So, while the ongoing exploration of the fifth force continues in accelerator labs around the world, some scientists are turning toward space to answer the deepest mysteries of physics.
Hmmmm.
“The 5th Dimension” is well known for their song, “The Age of Aquarious”.
Does the 5th force sing too? Or is it just science?
(Just had a nice glass of Chardonnay.)
just stop it, Luke!
I don't see peace and love guiding anything around this planet. So I don't think this is the answer.
Seems like asteroids could have a lot of confounders, such as solar wind and CMEs, the gravity of undiscovered other bodies, impacts with other bodies, gas pocket eruptions, and more. So looking for small departures from strict predictions won’t necessarily establish a fifth force.
Leeloo?
I’ve found that a sack of White Castles sliders can be pretty forceful. Maybe that’s it.
The fifth dimension?
Multipass!
Just play Black Sabbath at 78 speed.........
It’s been in front of our faces and at our fingertips for years: Cheetle is the 5th force.
I'm thinking the same as you. There could be an explanation that doesn't involve a massive overhaul of current theory. For instance, does the asteroid have a metal core that is affected by magnetic fields of planets or other asteroids? Are there other bodies in its vicinity we haven't discovered yet, that could alter its orbit either magnetically or gravitationally? Are there radioactive materials? these are forces that we already know exist (gravity, electromagnetism and nuclear), we just don't know if they are nearby.
If there is an unknown "fifth" force at work here, I vote we call it "the Schwartz"!
You’re not letting the sun shine in?
Great music to dance to. I still love to dance.
The Wish Force
So thats where Roddenberry got Vulcan from.
,,, if there’s a fifth force Oprah will disclose it and make it available in candles.
The Fifth Force is the mother-in-law...
The 5th Element
And then there’s the Mach 5 and Speed Racer.
And Spridel and Chim Chim...
... and Trixie...
Oh yeah. Uh huh. White Castles burgers.
None better for 2;30 am after the bars close.
Uh huh. White Castle...
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