An Action-at-a-Distance Theory of Gravitation

Abstract

An action-at-a-distance theory is formulated as a possible alternative to the general theory of relativity. The observed gravitational frequency shift and light bending are obtained by photon energy and momentum conservation effects and gravitational–electromagnetic phenomena are interpreted in analogy with the quantum theory of dielectric dispersion. The observed perihelion advance of Mercury is obtained by a combined scalar and vector interaction theory of the Wheeler–Feynman type. The vector interaction is no longer excluded by conventional field theoretic arguments.