Possible imprints of cosmic strings in the shadows of galactic black holes

Abstract

We examine the shadow cast by a Kerr black hole pierced by a cosmic string. The observable images depend not only on the black hole spin parameter and the angle of inclination, but also on the deficit angle yielded by the cosmic string. The dependence of the observable characteristics of the shadow on the deficit angle is explored. The imprints in the black hole shadow left by the presence of a cosmic string can serve as a method for observational detection of such strings.