4 ms·
I think you mean astrophysical, rather than galactic? Galactic structures are well-explained by Newtonian gravity (assuming dark matter, but that's independent
by evanb 10y ago
I think you mean astrophysical, rather than galactic? Galactic structures are well-explained by Newtonian gravity (assuming dark matter, but that's independent of whether you describe gravity as Newton or Einstein did). Large-scale structure, too, I thought. Compact objects---black holes, quasars, neutron stars, etc---and details of the galactic core need GR. But you get it mostly right without it, I thought.
- grigjd3 10y agoThe point is that dark matter is still a 20th century theory, meaning that the structure of galaxies is understood only with 20th century theories. If you read the letter carefully, you'll find that was the original claim made by Asimov.