Testing the no-hair theorem with observations of black holes in the electromagnetic spectrum

Tim Johannsen; Dimitrios Psaltis

doi:10.1016/j.asr.2010.10.019

Testing the no-hair theorem with observations of black holes in the electromagnetic spectrum

Tim Johannsen, Dimitrios Psaltis

Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

According to the no-hair theorem, astrophysical black holes are uniquely described by their mass and spin. In this paper, we review a new framework for testing the no-hair hypothesis with observations in the electromagnetic spectrum. The approach is formulated in terms of a Kerr-like spacetime containing a quadrupole moment that is independent of both mass and spin. If the no-hair theorem is correct, then any deviation from the Kerr metric quadrupole has to be zero. We show how upcoming VLBI imaging observations of Sgr A as well as spectroscopic observations of iron lines from accreting black holes with IXO may lead to the first astrophysical test of the no-hair theorem.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	528-532
Number of pages	5
Journal	Advances in Space Research
Volume	47
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2010.10.019
State	Published - Feb 1 2011

Keywords

Accretion, accretion disks
Black hole physics
Galaxy: center
Gravitation
Gravitational lensing: strong
Line: profiles

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Aerospace Engineering
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Geophysics
Atmospheric Science
Space and Planetary Science
Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)

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10.1016/j.asr.2010.10.019

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title = "Testing the no-hair theorem with observations of black holes in the electromagnetic spectrum",

abstract = "According to the no-hair theorem, astrophysical black holes are uniquely described by their mass and spin. In this paper, we review a new framework for testing the no-hair hypothesis with observations in the electromagnetic spectrum. The approach is formulated in terms of a Kerr-like spacetime containing a quadrupole moment that is independent of both mass and spin. If the no-hair theorem is correct, then any deviation from the Kerr metric quadrupole has to be zero. We show how upcoming VLBI imaging observations of Sgr A as well as spectroscopic observations of iron lines from accreting black holes with IXO may lead to the first astrophysical test of the no-hair theorem.",

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AU - Psaltis, Dimitrios

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N2 - According to the no-hair theorem, astrophysical black holes are uniquely described by their mass and spin. In this paper, we review a new framework for testing the no-hair hypothesis with observations in the electromagnetic spectrum. The approach is formulated in terms of a Kerr-like spacetime containing a quadrupole moment that is independent of both mass and spin. If the no-hair theorem is correct, then any deviation from the Kerr metric quadrupole has to be zero. We show how upcoming VLBI imaging observations of Sgr A as well as spectroscopic observations of iron lines from accreting black holes with IXO may lead to the first astrophysical test of the no-hair theorem.

AB - According to the no-hair theorem, astrophysical black holes are uniquely described by their mass and spin. In this paper, we review a new framework for testing the no-hair hypothesis with observations in the electromagnetic spectrum. The approach is formulated in terms of a Kerr-like spacetime containing a quadrupole moment that is independent of both mass and spin. If the no-hair theorem is correct, then any deviation from the Kerr metric quadrupole has to be zero. We show how upcoming VLBI imaging observations of Sgr A as well as spectroscopic observations of iron lines from accreting black holes with IXO may lead to the first astrophysical test of the no-hair theorem.

KW - Accretion, accretion disks

KW - Black hole physics

KW - Galaxy: center

KW - Gravitation

KW - Gravitational lensing: strong

KW - Line: profiles

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DO - 10.1016/j.asr.2010.10.019

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SN - 0273-1177

VL - 47

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JO - Advances in Space Research

JF - Advances in Space Research

IS - 3

ER -

Testing the no-hair theorem with observations of black holes in the electromagnetic spectrum

Abstract

Keywords

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