Abstract
We analytically compute the observational appearance of an isotropically emitting point source on a circular, equatorial orbit near the horizon of a rapidly spinning black hole. The primary image moves on a vertical line segment, in contrast to the primarily horizontal motion of the spinless case. Secondary images, also on the vertical line, display a rich caustic structure. If detected, this unique signature could serve as a 'smoking gun' for a high spin black hole in nature.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 3829-3853 |
Number of pages | 25 |
Journal | Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society |
Volume | 475 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 2018 |
Keywords
- Black hole physics
- Gravitational lensing: strong
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science