Constraints on $R^n$ gravity from precession of orbits of S2-like stars

Abstract

We study some possible observational signatures of $R^n$ gravity at Galactic scales and how these signatures could be used for constraining this type of $f(R)$ gravity. For that purpose, we performed two-body simulations in $R^n$ gravity potential and analyzed the obtained trajectories of S2-like stars around Galactic center, as well as resulting parameter space of $R^n$ gravity potential. Here, we discuss the constraints on the $R^n$ gravity which can be obtained from the observations of orbits of S2-like stars with the present and next generations of large telescopes. We make comparison between the theoretical results and observations. Our results show that the most probable value for the parameter $r_c$ in $R^n$ gravity potential in the case of S2-like stars is $\sim$100 AU, while the universal parameter $\beta$ is close to 0.01. Also, the $R^n$ gravity potential induces the precession of S2-like stars orbit in opposite direction with respect to General Relativity, therefore, such a behavior of orbits qualitatively is similar to a behavior of Newtonian orbits with a bulk distribution of matter (including a stellar cluster and dark matter distributions).