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arXiv:0706.0622gr-qc

The Kerr spacetime: A brief introduction

Matt Visser

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Abstract

This chapter provides a brief introduction to the Kerr spacetime and rotating black holes, touching on the most common coordinate representations of the spacetime metric and the key features of the geometry -- the presence of horizons and ergospheres. The coverage is by no means complete, and serves chiefly to orient oneself when reading subsequent chapters.

arXiv comments
V2: 41 pages, 3 figures: Introductory chapter on the Kerr spacetime that is intended for use in the book "The Kerr spacetime", currently being edited by Susan Scott, Matt Visser, and David Wiltshire. It is not, nor is it intended to be, complete and exhaustive. 3 references added. 2 figures added. some typos fixed. minor rearrangements; V3: 3 added references, minor edits
Journal reference
DOI
Subjects
gr-qcGeneral Relativity and Quantum Cosmology astro-phAstrophysics hep-thHigh Energy Physics, Theory

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    • It's only spherical in a Schwarzschild (non-rotating) black hole. A rotating black hole is called a Kerr black hole, and stuff gets weird, such as there being an oblate event horizon, a weird outer horizon called an ergosphere where spacetime gets dragged along such that it's…

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