KerrGeoPy: A Python Package for Computing Timelike Geodesics in Kerr Spacetime

TL;DR

KerrGeoPy is a Python package that efficiently computes and visualizes timelike geodesics in Kerr spacetime using analytic solutions, aiding research in black hole physics.

Contribution

It introduces a Python implementation for calculating stable and plunging geodesics in Kerr spacetime with analytic solutions, expanding tools available for black hole studies.

Findings

Provides accurate computation of geodesics using elliptic integrals

Includes visualization and animation tools for geodesic trajectories

Enables analysis of constants of motion and fundamental frequencies

Abstract

KerrGeoPy is a Python package which computes both stable and plunging timelike geodesics in Kerr spacetime using analytic solutions to the geodesic equation that are written in terms of Legendre elliptic integrals. It mirrors and builds upon much of the functionality of the KerrGeodesics Mathematica library. Users can construct a geodesic by providing the initial position and four-velocity, or by providing either the constants of motion or a generalized version of the parameters defining a Keplerian orbit. The package provides methods for computing the four-velocity, fundamental frequencies, and constants of motion associated with a given geodesic along with the location of the separatrix. It also includes several methods for visualizing and animating geodesics.