On the invariant causal characterization of singularities in spherically symmetric spacetimes

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that the causal nature of singularities in spherically symmetric spacetimes can be determined using specific invariants, enabling coordinate-independent analysis of their properties.

Contribution

It introduces an invariant-based method to characterize the causal nature of singularities in spherically symmetric models, removing the need for ad hoc coordinate-dependent procedures.

Findings

Causal character linked to specific invariants at R=0 singularity

Method allows coordinate-independent analysis

Facilitates algorithmic determination of singularity properties

Abstract

The causal character of singularities is often studied in relation to the existence of naked singularities and the subsequent possible violation of the cosmic censorship conjecture. Generally one constructs a model in the framework of General Relativity described in some specific coordinates and finds an ad hoc procedure to analyze the character of the singularity. In this article we show that the causal character of the zero-areal-radius (R=0) singularity in spherically symmetric models is related with some specific invariants. In this way, if some assumptions are satisfied, one can ascertain the causal character of the singularity algorithmically through the computation of these invariants and, therefore, independently of the coordinates used in the model.