The Illusion of Spiral Galaxies
Title: The Illusion of Spiral Galaxies: Dirichlet’s Theorem and Waveform Interference
Author: Orion Franklin, Syme Research Collective
Date: March, 2025
Abstract
This paper explores the hypothesis that spiral galaxies are not true rotating structures but rather optical illusions caused by waveform interference in gravitationally curved spacetime. We propose that Dirichlet’s theorem on prime number distributions can model the placement of spiral arms through constructive and destructive interference of light waves. If this holds, it suggests that much of what we interpret as the structure of galaxies could be an emergent holographic projection of resonant light waves, rather than a purely mass-driven formation. We explore how waveform interactions, prime-based sequences, and relativistic lensing could explain both the persistence of galactic spirals and the missing mass problem associated with dark matter.
1. Introduction: Rethinking Spiral Galaxies as Wave Interference Patterns
1.1 The Conventional Model of Spiral Galaxies
Current astrophysical models describe spiral galaxies as vast rotating masses of stars bound by gravity. The structure of a typical spiral galaxy consists of:
A central bulge (dense stellar core)
Logarithmic spiral arms (containing stars, dust, and interstellar matter)
A surrounding dark matter halo inferred from rotation curves
However, this mass-based explanation presents problems:
The Winding Dilemma: Spiral arms should “wound up” over time and lose their shape, but they remain stable for billions of years.
The Dark Matter Problem: Rotation speeds suggest the presence of unseen mass, yet direct detection of dark matter remains elusive.
Could it be that galaxies do not physically rotate as we think, but rather, their spiral shape is an optical illusion caused by wave interference?
1.2 Hypothesis: Spiral Galaxies as Light Wave Interference Patterns
If galaxies are not actually rotating spirals but instead an effect of how light propagates, we must consider:
Gravitational lensing altering light trajectories.
Waveform interference creating bright and dark regions.
Light waves experiencing Dirichlet-structured resonances, forming repeating patterns that mimic spiral arms.
This suggests that what we see is not the true distribution of matter, but rather an interference pattern of light shaped by fundamental number-theoretic principles.
2. Dirichlet’s Theorem and Wave Interference in Galactic Structures
2.1 Dirichlet’s Theorem and Prime-Based Sequences
Dirichlet’s theorem states that for any two coprime integers a and d, there exist infinitely many prime numbers in the sequence:
p = a + nd, where n ∈ ℤ⁺
This theorem, fundamental to prime number theory, governs the spacing of periodic structures in modular arithmetic. But how does it relate to galactic structures?
2.2 Prime-Distributed Wave Interference and Spiral Patterns
If we assume that galaxies emit light as periodic wavefronts, then:
Light constructively interferes at prime-distributed distances, forming bright regions.
Light destructively interferes elsewhere, creating dark voids.
Over vast cosmic distances, these interference patterns appear as spirals, governed by Dirichlet prime sequences.
Thus, spiral arms may not be bands of rotating mass, but periodic zones of light intensity reinforcement!
2.3 Starlight as a Waveform in the Dirichlet Spiral
If the spiral structure of galaxies is not a direct result of mass distribution but instead emerges from wave interference patterns, then the apparent positions of stars may be similarly governed by harmonic resonances. The way we perceive starlight could be shaped by the constructive and destructive interference of overlapping wavefronts.
Stars as Resonance Nodes in a Waveform Model
Instead of being randomly placed within the galaxy, stars might form naturally along the high-intensity points of the Dirichlet spiral, where wave interference amplifies certain frequencies. In this model:
Regions of high constructive interference correspond to areas where light waves reinforce each other, leading to brighter observed zones that we interpret as dense stellar regions.
Destructive interference cancels out wave peaks, leading to darker voids or regions where fewer stars are detected.
The distribution of stars along the spiral arms may not be gravitational in nature, but rather an emergent standing wave pattern within curved spacetime.
This suggests that stars may follow an emergent wave-driven lattice, rather than simply being positioned due to gravity alone.
The Dirichlet Sequence as a Starlight Distribution Function
Given that Dirichlet’s theorem governs the periodicity of prime-numbered sequences in modular arithmetic, we propose that stars form along periodic resonances defined by prime-distributed spacetime distortions.
Using the Dirichlet spiral equation:
p=a+nd,where n∈Z+
If we assign values of ppp as possible constructive resonance nodes, then the resulting star distribution follows a non-uniform but repeating pattern.
The density of visible stars may correlate with harmonic intervals of prime-based sequences, rather than uniform mass distribution.
This could explain why some regions of galaxies appear star-rich while others contain unexpected voids.
The apparent brightness variations in galaxies may be interference-driven rather than purely due to differences in stellar mass.
Implications for Star Formation and Galactic Rotation
If stellar distribution aligns with Dirichlet-based wave interference, this could challenge the standard model of star formation in several ways:
Gravity alone may not be responsible for structuring galaxies—electromagnetic wave resonance may play a dominant role.
Rotational dynamics may be shaped by light propagation rules rather than mass distribution, meaning the need for dark matter might be reduced.
The spiral arms of galaxies may be better understood as wavefront peaks rather than moving stellar clusters, explaining their long-term stability.
3. The Missing Mass Problem as an Optical Illusion
One of the strongest arguments for dark matter is the unexpectedly high rotational speeds of galaxies. However, if spiral structure is merely an emergent property of light interaction, then:
Regions of high brightness may appear as high-density mass zones, misleading our gravitational calculations.
The inferred gravitational pull may be due to wave distortion rather than unseen mass.
The rotational velocity profile of galaxies may be shaped by resonance patterns rather than true gravitational effects.
If this is correct, then dark matter may not exist in the form we assume but could instead be an illusion of phase-canceled light waves!
4. Testing the Hypothesis: Simulating Spiral Interference Patterns
To verify this model, we propose:
Simulating Dirichlet spiral-based starlight placement using harmonic wave functions.
Observing whether actual star distributions in deep-sky images follow periodic prime-based interference zones.
Testing brightness fluctuations across galactic arms to determine whether they correlate with predicted interference peaks rather than mass distributions.
If successful, these tests could redefine how we perceive galaxies and explain some of the greatest astrophysical mysteries.
5. Conclusion: A New View of Galactic Structure
If spiral galaxies are actually wave interference structures, then:
The spiral shape is not caused by rotating mass but by light-wave resonance governed by prime sequences.
The missing mass problem may be an illusion caused by misinterpreting wave-dense regions as high-density matter.
Gravity-based dark matter theories may need revision in favor of wave-driven cosmology.
5.1 A New View of Star Placement in Galaxies
If stars are arranged based on wave interference patterns rather than solely by gravitational attraction, then:
The shape of galaxies is a function of light dynamics rather than mass rotation.
Star formation zones may emerge due to standing light waves, explaining their stability over billions of years.
Dark matter assumptions may need to be re-evaluated in favor of a wave-based cosmology where light, not mass, defines galactic structure.
This theory does not invalidate current astrophysics, but it provides a deeper mathematical explanation for why we observe spirals in space. Future studies should test whether gravitational lensing combined with wave physics can naturally produce these structures.
Would our understanding of the universe change if we are seeing an illusion of light rather than a distribution of mass? This question remains open for deeper exploration.
6. References
Dirichlet, P.G.L. (1837). "Beweis des Satzes, dass jede unbegrenzte arithmetische Reihe, deren erstes Glied und Differenz ganze Zahlen ohne gemeinschaftlichen Factor sind, unendlich viele Primzahlen enthält."
Einstein, A. (1915). "The Field Equations of Gravitation." Sitzungsberichte der Königlich Preußischen Akademie der Wissenschaften.
Wheeler, J. A. (1968). "Our Universe: The Known and the Unknown." American Scientist.
Riess, A. G., et al. (1998). "Observational Evidence from Supernovae for an Accelerating Universe and a Cosmological Constant." Astronomical Journal.
Bekenstein, J. D. (1973). "Black Holes and Entropy." Physical Review D.
The Fundamental Motion of Matter at the Speed of Light - https://syme.ai/syme-papers/the-fundamental-motion-of-matter-at-the-speed-of-light
The Speed of Light as the Motion of Sagittarius A* - https://syme.ai/syme-papers/the-speed-of-light-as-the-motion-of-sagittarius-a
