Timelike geodesics in naked singularity and black hole spacetimes

Abstract

In this paper, we derive the solutions of orbit equations for a class of naked singularity spacetimes, and compare these with timelike orbits, that is, particle trajectories in the Schwarzschild black hole spacetime. The Schwarzschild and naked singularity spacetimes considered here can be formed as end state of a spherically symmetric gravitational collapse of a matter cloud. We find and compare the perihelion precession of the particle orbits in the naked singularity spacetime with that of the Schwarzschild black hole. We then discuss different distinguishable physical properties of timelike orbits in the black hole and naked singularity spacetimes and implications are discussed. Several interesting differences follow from our results, including the conclusion that in naked singularity spacetimes, particle bound orbits can precess in the opposite direction of particle motion, which is not possible in Schwarzschild spacetime.