Observational features of reflection asymmetric black holes

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Chen, Che-Yu, Pu, Hung-Yi
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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author Chen, Che-Yu
Pu, Hung-Yi
author_facet Chen, Che-Yu
Pu, Hung-Yi
contents The Kerr spacetime is symmetric with respect to a well-defined equatorial plane. When testing the equatorial reflection symmetry of an isolated black hole, one is at the same time testing the Kerr hypothesis in General Relativity. In this work, we investigate the possible observational features when a Keplerian disk is surrounding a rotating black hole without reflection symmetry. When such symmetry is broken, generically, the photon trajectories around the black hole and the Keplerian orbits on the accretion disk are distorted vertically away from the equatorial plane by an amount that depends on their distance to the black hole. In the reflection asymmetric spacetime we are considering, these two kinds of orbits are distorted in opposite directions. Interestingly, while the size and shape of black hole shadows closely resemble those of Kerr black holes, distinct observational characteristics can emerge in the disk image and emission line profiles. When observing the disk edge-on, a pronounced concave shape may appear along its innermost edge on the incoming side. Furthermore, distinctive horn-like features might be observed on the spectral line profile at the blue-shifted side. These special features can serve as compelling indicators of the reflection asymmetry present in rotating black holes.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2404_07055
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Observational features of reflection asymmetric black holes
Chen, Che-Yu
Pu, Hung-Yi
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
High Energy Physics - Theory
The Kerr spacetime is symmetric with respect to a well-defined equatorial plane. When testing the equatorial reflection symmetry of an isolated black hole, one is at the same time testing the Kerr hypothesis in General Relativity. In this work, we investigate the possible observational features when a Keplerian disk is surrounding a rotating black hole without reflection symmetry. When such symmetry is broken, generically, the photon trajectories around the black hole and the Keplerian orbits on the accretion disk are distorted vertically away from the equatorial plane by an amount that depends on their distance to the black hole. In the reflection asymmetric spacetime we are considering, these two kinds of orbits are distorted in opposite directions. Interestingly, while the size and shape of black hole shadows closely resemble those of Kerr black holes, distinct observational characteristics can emerge in the disk image and emission line profiles. When observing the disk edge-on, a pronounced concave shape may appear along its innermost edge on the incoming side. Furthermore, distinctive horn-like features might be observed on the spectral line profile at the blue-shifted side. These special features can serve as compelling indicators of the reflection asymmetry present in rotating black holes.
title Observational features of reflection asymmetric black holes
topic General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
High Energy Physics - Theory
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2404.07055