Kruskal–Szekeres coordinates for Kerr metric

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the understanding of the Kerr metric in the context of Kruskal–Szekeres coordinates and Penrose diagrams. Participants explore the representation of Kerr spacetime and its geometrical features, particularly in comparison to the Schwarzschild metric.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in understanding the Kerr metric and seeks a diagram similar to the Kruskal–Szekeres coordinates used for the Schwarzschild metric.
  • Another participant suggests looking at Penrose diagrams for Kerr black holes, providing a link to a resource.
  • A participant acknowledges the existence of Penrose diagrams but requests a more quantitative representation rather than a schematic one.
  • It is noted that while a paper derives Kruskal-like coordinates for Kerr spacetime, it does not mention that a single diagram cannot fully describe the geometry due to the axial symmetry of Kerr spacetime, requiring multiple diagrams for a complete representation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the availability of a suitable diagram for the Kerr metric. There are competing views regarding the adequacy of Penrose diagrams and the need for multiple representations to capture the full geometry of Kerr spacetime.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in representing Kerr spacetime with a single diagram due to its axial symmetry, suggesting that additional diagrams may be necessary for a comprehensive understanding.

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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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