Abstract: We consider corrections in the form of to the Einstein-Hilbert Lagrangian. Then we compute the corrections to the Schwarszchild geometry due to the inclusion of this general term to the Lagrangian. We show that gives rise to a constant anomalous acceleration for objects orbiting the Sun onward the Sun. This leads to the conclusion that would have covariantly resolved the Pioneer anomaly if this value of had not contradicted other observations. We notice that the experimental bounds on grows stronger in case we examine the deformation of the space-time geometry around objects lighter than the Sun. We therefore use the high precision measurements around the Earth (LAGEOS and LLR) and obtain a very strong constraint on the corrections in the form of and in particular . This bound requires . Therefore it refutes the covariant resolution of the Pioneer anomaly.
