0706.0622.pdf - arXiv:0706.0622v3[gr-qc 15 Jan 2008 The...

arXiv:0706.0622v3
[gr-qc]
15 Jan 2008
The Kerr spacetime:
A brief introduction
Matt Visser
School of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science
Victoria University of Wellington
PO Box 600
Wellington
New Zealand
5 June 2007; revised 30 June 2007; revised 15 January 2008;
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Comment: This is a draft of an introductory chapter on the Kerr space-
time that is intended for use in the book “The Kerr spacetime” , currently
being edited by Susan Scott, Matt Visser, and David Wiltshire. This chapter
is intended as a teaser and brief introduction to the mathematics and physics
of the Kerr spacetime — it is not, nor is it intended to be, a complete and
exhaustive survey of everything in the field. Comments and community feed-
back, especially regarding clarity and pedagogy, are welcome.
Keywords: Kerr spacetime, rotating black holes.
arXiv:0706.0622 [gr-qc]
Abstract
This chapter provides a brief introduction to the mathematics and
physics of 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.
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