Detecting gravitational lensing by matter currents

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Authors: Claire E. Murray, Raphaël Kou, J. G. Bartlett
Cited by: 0
References: 33

Abstract

We explored the observational prospects for detecting gravitational lensing induced by cosmological matter currents, a relativistic correction to the standard density lensing effect arising from the motion of matter. We propose isolating this contribution by cross-correlating the weak-lensing convergence field with a reconstructed cosmic momentum field inferred from galaxy redshift surveys. Using numerical simulations, we demonstrate that this reconstructed momentum field is uncorrelated with the density lensing signal, enabling a clean separation of the gravitomagnetic component. We then forecast the detectability of this signal for upcoming wide-field galaxy and weak-lensing surveys, showing that a statistically significant detection may be achievable under realistic observational conditions. Such a measurement would provide the first direct probe of the large-scale cosmic momentum field, offering a novel test of general relativity and Lorentz invariance on cosmological scales.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Cosmology and Gravitation Theories Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research Galaxies: Formation Evolution Phenomena

Publication details

Journal / source
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Publisher
EDP Sciences
Volume
708
Pages
A48–A48
Publication date
20 February 2026
Language
EN