Shadows and lensing of black holes immersed in strong magnetic fields

We investigate the null geodesic flow and in particular the light rings (LRs), fundamental photon orbits (FPOs) and shadows of a black hole (BH) immersed in a strong, uniform magnetic field, described by the Schwarzschilld-Melvin electrovacuum solution. The empty Melvin magnetic Universe contains a tube of planar LRs. Including a BH, for weak magnetic fields, the shadow becomes oblate, whereas the intrinsic horizon geometry becomes prolate. For strong magnetic fields (overcritical solutions), there are no LRs outside the BH horizon, a result explained using topological arguments. This feature, together with the light confining structure of the Melvin universe yields panoramic shadows, seen (almost) all around the equator of the observer's sky. Despite the lack of LRs, there are FPOs, including polar planar ones, which define the shadow edge. We also observe and discuss chaotic lensing, including in the empty Melvin universe, and multiple disconnected shadows.

Automated summary

The study investigates the impact of black holes immersed in a strong magnetic field on the null geodesic flow in space, including the characteristics of light rings, photon orbits, and shadows. The results show that a strong magnetic field can alter the shape of a black hole's shadow and the intrinsic horizon geometry.