The shortest path between two points is a straight line. However, for curved geometry, like spacetime, the shortest path is called a geodesic. Objects with no external forces acting upon them (except gravity) move along geodesics. Newtonian mechanics provides a simplistic view of how an object would orbit a massive body in space. However, general relativistic effects of an object interacting with a massive spinning body can lead to orbital precession and the twisting of spacetime. In this research, we model this twisting effect, called frame dragging, by use of Maple software. Using different numerical analysis techniques we solved for the different geodesic equations corresponding to different initial conditions an object could have if it were to orbit a rotating neutron star, and managed to model and display the effects caused by general relativity.

Dr. Gregory Comer is a fantastic research mentor and a respected researcher on the physics behind Neutron Stars. His patience and encouragement made investigating neutron stars an enjoyable experience, and his humour showed that research is as fun as one makes it.