Tidal Dynamics in Kerr Spacetime
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
2009-11-11 v2 Astrophysics
Abstract
The motion of free nearby test particles relative to a stable equatorial circular geodesic orbit about a Kerr source is investigated. It is shown that the nonlinear generalized Jacobi equation can be transformed in this case to an autonomous form. Tidal dynamics beyond the critical speed c/sqrt(2) is studied. We show, in particular, that a free test particle vertically launched from the circular orbit parallel or antiparallel to the Kerr rotation axis is tidally accelerated if its initial relative speed exceeds c/sqrt(2). Possible applications of our results to high-energy astrophysics are briefly mentioned.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.gr-qc/0602071,
title = {Tidal Dynamics in Kerr Spacetime},
author = {C. Chicone and B. Mashhoon},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:gr-qc/0602071},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
15 pages, 3 figures; v2: slightly expanded version accepted for publication in CQG