GeodesicViewer - A tool for exploring geodesics in the theory of relativity

The GeodesicViewer realizes exocentric two- and three-dimensional illustrations of lightlike and timelike geodesics in the general theory of relativity. By means of an intuitive graphical user interface, all parameters of a spacetime as well as the initial conditions of the geodesics can be modified interactively. This makes the GeodesicViewer a useful instrument for the exploration of geodesics in four-dimensional Lorentzian spacetimes.

Program summary

Program title: GeodesicViewerCatalogue identifier: AEFP_v1_0Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/AEFP_v1_0.htmlProgram obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen's University, Belfast, N. IrelandLicensing provisions: Standard CPC licence, http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/licence/licence.htmlNo. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 168 868No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 6 076 202Distribution format: tar.gzProgramming language: C++, Qt, Qwt, OpenGLComputer: All platforms with a C++ compiler, Qt, Qwt, OpenGLOperating system: Linux, Mac OS XRAM: 24 MbytesClassification: 1.5External routines:

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Gnu Scientific Library (GSL) (http://www.gnu.org/software/gsl/)

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Motion4D (included in the package). The Motion4D library can also be downloaded from CPC. Catalogue identifier: AEEX

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Qt (http://qt.nokia.com/downloads)

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Qwt (http://qwt.sourceforge.net/)

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OpenGL (http://www.opengl.org/)

Nature of problem: Illustrate geodesics in four-dimensional Lorentzian spacetimes.Solution method: Integration of ordinary differential equations. 3D-Rendering via OpenGL.Running time: Interactive. The examples given take milliseconds.