[RightWhale]

The vortex theory of gravity wasn't disproved, but it was replaced with the current theory. Apparently the vortex theory was not as easy to put into mathematical terms at the time, over 100 years ago. It wasn't necessarily wrong, just not particularly useful. The vortex theory of gravity seems to be at the root of R. C. Hoagland's recent journalistic work in digging up old, discarded physics, trying to re-open old lines of inquiry.

[longshadow]

The vortex theory of gravity wasn't disproved, but it was replaced with the current theory.

When a new theory supplants an old one, it is usually for a good reason.

The practical issue is that we have yet to find an instance where the current theory of gravitation gives an incorrect result. Hence, there is no basis for "vortex" gravitation (or any other theory) to replace it...... for the moment.

I have a great deal of trouble with Hoagland's stuff; latching onto the "Face on Mars" hysteria, combined with all his conspiratorial speculation he's into, really makes him sound like a lunatic rather than a serious scientist, which he once was.