Kruskal–Szekeres coordinates for Kerr metric

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on understanding the Kerr metric through the lens of Kruskal–Szekeres coordinates and Penrose diagrams. While the user finds Kruskal–Szekeres coordinates helpful for the Schwarzschild metric, they seek a similar quantitative representation for the Kerr metric. A referenced paper provides Kruskal-like coordinates for Kerr spacetime in section 3.6 and discusses Penrose diagrams in section 3.7. However, it is established that a single diagram cannot fully describe Kerr geometry due to its axial symmetry, necessitating multiple diagrams for a complete understanding.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Kerr metric and its properties
  • Familiarity with Kruskal–Szekeres coordinates
  • Knowledge of Penrose diagrams
  • Basic concepts of spacetime geometry
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  • Study the derivation of Kruskal-like coordinates in the context of Kerr spacetime
  • Examine the Penrose diagrams specific to Kerr black holes
  • Research the implications of axial symmetry in Kerr geometry
  • Explore advanced topics in general relativity related to black hole metrics
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Physicists, mathematicians, and students specializing in general relativity, particularly those focused on black hole metrics and spacetime geometry.

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I am having trouble understanding the Kerr metric. One of the things which helped me understand the Schwarzschild metric is the Kruskal–Szekeres coordinates. In particular, the fact that light cones were still at 45 degrees was very helpful, and it was helpful to see that the singularity was a spacelike surface.

Does a similar diagram exist for the Kerr metric?
 
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Yes, I have seen those, but I was hoping for something a little more quantitative and less "schematic".
 
Dale said:
Does a similar diagram exist for the Kerr metric?

Section 3.6 of this paper derives Kruskal-like coordinates for Kerr spacetime; section 3.7 presents Penrose diagrams:

https://arxiv.org/pdf/1503.02172.pdf

There is one key thing about Kerr spacetime that the above paper does not appear to mention: a single Kruskal or Penrose diagram, since it only has two coordinates, cannot completely describe the geometry up to symmetries, since Kerr spacetime is not spherically symmetric, it's only axially symmetric. So to fully describe the geometry, up to symmetries, you need multiple Penrose-type diagrams. The most commonly seen one is a diagram of the equatorial plane of Kerr spacetime (that appears to be the one in the above paper), but that by itself doesn't tell you everything.
 
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