Observables of a test-mass along an inclined orbit in a post-Newtonian approximated Kerr spacetime to leading-order-quadratic-in-spin

Abstract

The orbital motion is derived for a non-spinning test-mass in the relativistic, gravitational field of a rotationally deformed body not restricted to the equatorial plane or spherical orbit. The gravitational field of the central body is represented by the Kerr metric, expanded to second post-Newtonian order including the linear and quadratic spin terms. The orbital period, the intrinsic periastron advance, and the precession of the orbital plane are derived with the aid of novel canonical variables and action-based methods.