Can the Sun Appear to Rise from the West Without Reversing the Earth's Rotation? A Relativistic Physical Analysis of Spacetime Distortions and Strong Gravitational Lensing

This work investigates the theoretical possibility of an apparent reversal in the observed direction of sunrise—specifically, the appearance of solar light originating from the west—without invoking any physical inversion of the Sun or the Earth’s rotation.The analysis is conducted strictly within the framework of General Relativity and focuses on the behavior of null geodesics under spacetime curvature.The study systematically examines all relevant relativistic mechanisms capable of altering the apparent path of light, including gravitational lensing in weak and strong fields, the influence of compact objects such as black holes and neutron stars, the transient effects of gravitational waves, and hypothetical topological distortions of spacetime such as wormholes. Each scenario is evaluated in terms of mathematical admissibility, observational status, physical stability, and potential catastrophic implications.A clear distinction is maintained throughout between optical phenomena—concerning the apparent trajectory of light rays—and physical dynamics, such as orbital motion or rotational behavior of celestial bodies.The results demonstrate that while General Relativity mathematically permits extreme light-deflection scenarios capable of producing such an apparent reversal, the physical conditions required lie far beyond any stable or observed configuration of the current solar system.Accordingly, the phenomenon is classified as a theoretical boundary case of relativistic physics, rather than a realistic or observable astronomical event. The work thus contributes to clarifying the limits of relativistic interpretation, separating mathematical possibility from physical plausibility.