13. Covariant Calibration & The Measurement Trap
A critical challenge in validating the Momentum Flux framework against standard General Relativity (GR) is the issue of Covariant Calibration. This phenomenon describes how standard metrology effectively "masks" the non-Newtonian nature of gravity by coupling the measurement of time to the density of the field being measured.
13.1 The Inertial Circularity of Mass
In the standard model, the Mass of the Earth (M) is not measured directly; it is derived from the orbital velocity (v) of satellites using Newtonian/Schwarzschild constraints (M = v2r/G).
If the actual gravitational gradient follows the CMFT Power 4 (N4) curve—which is slightly "flatter" than the inverse-square law in the near-field due to source width—a satellite at GPS altitude will experience a different drift velocity than predicted by Newton. However, by using the Newtonian formula to work backwards, we calculate a "Virtual Mass" that incorporates this drift error. We then use this derived mass to calibrate surface instruments.
Consequently, the "Mass" used in standard physics is a composite variable that absorbs the geometric efficiency of the source, effectively hiding the CMFT profile inside the gravitational constant.
13.2 The Time-Density Mask (The Rubber Ruler)
The strongest masking effect occurs because Gravity (Drift) and Time (Clock Speed) are both functions of the Vacuum Pressure (Flux Density).
- The Flux Mechanism: A higher flux density creates a stronger drift (Gravity) but also creates a higher "viscosity" for the internal cycles of Solitons (Time).
The Masking Loop:
If the Earth has a large effective core (Reff > 2%), the flux density at GPS orbit is higher than a Point Source model predicts.
- This causes the satellite to drift faster (Stronger Gravity).
- However, the higher flux density simultaneously causes the atomic clocks on board to tick slower (Stronger Time Dilation).
Since Velocity is Distance divided by Time (v = d/t), the increase in physical speed is offset by the slowing of the measurement clock.
To the observer, the orbit appears perfectly Newtonian. The Geometric Width of the Earth is masked because the "ruler" (Time) stretches in exact proportion to the "force" (Gravity).
13.3 Earth vs. Mercury: The Coherence Lens
This calibration mask explains the observational discrepancy between Earth and Mercury.
- Earth (Coherent Source): The Earth is a solid lattice. Its "Tension Map" is highly stable. The gradient of Drift and the gradient of Time are perfectly coupled. We are observing the field from within the calibration loop. Therefore, the non-Newtonian Power 4 curve masks itself, and Earth appears to act as a point source (Reff ≈ 0).
- Mercury (Incoherent Source): Mercury orbits the Sun (a turbulent plasma). The Sun’s effective core is wide (Reff ≈ 5.6%), creating a significantly "flat" Power 4 gradient. Crucially, because the Sun is incoherent, the coupling between the mean flux density and the local time dilation is disrupted by turbulence. We are observing this system from the outside. The "Mask" slips, and the non-Newtonian drift becomes visible as the Precession of the Perihelion.
13.4 Conclusion: Relativistic Reduction
We conclude that the application of "Relativistic Corrections" (in either GR or CMFT) is a mathematical protocol that reduces the observation to a Newtonian baseline.
- Standard GR: Removes the effects of Curvature to recover Newton.
- CMFT: Removes the effects of Flux Viscosity to recover Newton.
Therefore, the fact that GPS satellites follow Newtonian paths after correction does not disprove the Power 4 Tension Map. It simply proves that the Flux Viscosity at 20,000 km scales isomorphically with the Gravitational Drift, allowing the Earth to possess a Larger Effective Core (closer to the solar ratio of 5.6%) than previously assumed. The "Point Source" Earth is a metrological illusion created by covariant calibration.