Abstract:
The phenomenon of gyroscopic precession in the Ernst spacetime is studied within the framework of the Frenet-Serret formalism. General formulae are obtained for circular orbits. At the same time general relativistic analogues of inertial forces such as gravitational and centrifugal forces are also investigated in the Ernst spacetime. Reversal of gyroscopic precession as well as centrifugal force is considered at the circular photon orbits. These phenomena are examined in the Melvin universe as a special case of the Ernst spacetime by setting the mass parameter equal to zero.
