light expansion of V838 Monocerotis

[saturnsrim]

I have to wonder. Since it was determined that stars and black holes can create a gravitational pull that can bend light and possibly fold space is it possible that when this star erupted it may have thrown out a gravitational ripple that light photons could effectively ride on at faster than light speeds thus explaining the appearance of faster than light expansion of light?

[Chris Peterson]

I have to wonder. Since it was determined that stars and black holes can create a gravitational pull that can bend light and possibly fold space is it possible that when this star erupted it may have thrown out a gravitational ripple that light photons could effectively ride on at faster than light speeds thus explaining the appearance of faster than light expansion of light?

No. Gravitational waves are also limited to c. The only effect a gravitational wave can have on light is to slightly redshift or blueshift it, although the amount would be far smaller than our current ability to measure.

Light echoes are well understood. Their sometimes apparent superluminal motion is just a projection effect.