Geodesics in Gödel-type space-times (Q753169)

The authors investigate the geodesics of the homogeneous Gödel-type space-times which constitute a 2-parameter class of solutions in General Relativity, Einstein-Cartan Theory and the higher derivatives theory of gravitation. The corresponding geometries are studied extensively. It is found that the following qualitative features of the free motion in the Gödel universe are preserved in all these space-times: (a) The projections of the geodesics onto the 2-surface (r,\(\phi\)) are simple closed curves with some exceptions for \(\ell^ 2\geq 4^ 2\). (b) The geodesics for which the ratio of azimuthal angular momentum to total energy is equal to zero, always cross the origin \(r=0\).