Newman-Penrose quantities as valuable tools in astrophysical relativity

TL;DR

This paper discusses how Newman-Penrose quantities, specifically Weyl scalars and curvature invariants, are useful tools for understanding rotating star spacetimes and extracting gravitational wave templates in astrophysical relativity.

Contribution

It introduces the application of Newman-Penrose quantities to improve analysis in rotating stars and gravitational wave extraction in numerical relativity.

Findings

Weyl scalars clarify key issues in astrophysical relativity

Curvature invariants aid in gravitational wave template extraction

Enhances understanding of rotating star spacetimes

Abstract

In this talk I will briefly outline work in progress in two different contexts in astrophysical relativity, i.e. the study of rotating star spacetimes and the problem of reliably extracting gravitational wave templates in numerical relativity. In both cases the use of Weyl scalars and curvature invariants helps to clarify important issues.