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Detailed study of null and timelike geodesics in the Alcubierre warp spacetime

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Abstract

The geodesic equation of the Alcubierre warp spacetime is converted into its non-affinely parametrized form for a detailed discussion of the motion of particles and the visual effects as observed by a traveller inside the warp bubble or a person looking from outside. To include gravitational lensing for point-like light sources, we present a practical approach using the Jacobi equation and the Sachs bases. Additionally, we consider the dragging and geodesic precession of particles due to the warp bubble.

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  1. Visualisierungsinstitut der Universität Stuttgart (VISUS), Allmandring 19, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany

    Thomas Müller & Daniel Weiskopf

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  1. Thomas Müller
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  2. Daniel Weiskopf
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Correspondence to Thomas Müller.

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Müller, T., Weiskopf, D. Detailed study of null and timelike geodesics in the Alcubierre warp spacetime. Gen Relativ Gravit 44, 509–533 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10714-011-1289-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10714-011-1289-0

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