What question did this study set out to answer?

To investigate the efficacy of an octonionic field model as an alternative to dark matter for galaxy rotation curves.

March 12, 2026Open Access

Associative Lag as an Alternative to Dark Matter: A Single-Parameter Octonionic Field Model Fits 171 SPARC Galaxy Rotation Curves

Key Points

To investigate the efficacy of an octonionic field model as an alternative to dark matter for galaxy rotation curves.
Developed a single-parameter model based on octonionic non-associativity.
Analyzed 171 late-type galaxies from the SPARC database.
Compared the octonionic model with the NFW dark matter profile using statistical fitting techniques.
The octonionic model outperformed the NFW profile in 152 of 171 galaxies (89%).
Achieved a median reduced chi-squared value of 3.35 compared to 56.57 for NFW fits.
Observed a parameter degeneracy in the NFW model across all galaxies.

Abstract

We present a single-parameter model motivated by octonionic non-associativity ("associative lag") as an alternative to NFW dark matter halos for explaining galaxy rotation curves. The model modifies gravitational dynamics at low accelerations via a single dimensionless parameter α that scales the MOND critical acceleration a₀. Fitted to 171 late-type galaxies from the SPARC database, the octonionic model is statistically preferred in 152/171 galaxies (89%), achieving a median reduced χ² of 3.35 versus 56.57 for the two-parameter NFW profile. The NFW fits exhibit universal M₂₀₀–c parameter degeneracy across all 171 galaxies. Includes publication figures.

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Cite This Study

Matthew Connelly (Tue,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69b2585696eeacc4fcec7e27 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18928570

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