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accretion-disk tests of strong-field gravity put radiating matter in a strong gravitational field at relativistic orbital speeds. general relativity predicts an innermost stable circular orbit, $r_{\mathrm{ISCO}}=6GM/c^2$ for a nonrotating black hole, with a spin-dependent radius in the Kerr metric. If the radiating inner edge tracks that orbit, its fitted radius and binding-energy release probe the geometry. For a thin disk with negligible inner-edge torque, $L\simeq \eta \dot{M}{c}^2$; the Schwarzschild efficiency is $\eta =1-\sqrt{8/9}\simeq 0.057$.

In relativistic iron-line spectroscopy, a fluorescent iron line supplies a rest-energy reference. The relativistic Doppler effect from orbital motion, relativistic beaming, gravitational redshift and ray bending produce an asymmetric broadened profile, including a red wing from the deepest emitting radii. The ASCA observation of MCG-6-30-15 showed a broad asymmetric iron feature relative to the approximately $6.4\mathrm{keV}$ neutral-iron energy, interpreted through relativistic disk-line models.^[ref] The observed line must be separated from the illuminating continuum, absorption and other reflection features; inclination, ionization and the radial illumination law affect the inferred radius.

thermal-continuum fitting of an accretion disk provides an independent method for a geometrically thin, optically thick disk. Its spectrum and normalization constrain a characteristic inner area, provided mass, distance, inclination and atmospheric spectral hardening are controlled. A pre-2013 application selected thermal-state observations of GRS 1915+105 at relatively low disk luminosity to make the thin-disk approximation appropriate.^[ref]

Consistency among inner radius, line transfer and thermal emission tests the strong-field disk picture. A black-hole spin estimate obtained by assuming a Kerr metric is not by itself a model-independent verification of general relativity. Stress across the nominal inner edge, finite disk thickness, coronal geometry, calibration and competing absorption models must be constrained; a gravity test compares alternative geometries while allowing for those astrophysical uncertainties. An emitting material surface or boundary layer can further complicate disks around neutron stars.

For $0<M<a$, $\Delta =(r-M{)}^2+a^2-M^2>0$, so no horizon blocks need adjoining. The oblate Cartesian coordinates of the Kerr metric satisfy the displayed relation, where ${\rho }^2=x^2+y^2$. Keeping only the positive root $r$ leaves a cut along the disk $z=0$, $\rho <a$. Continue $r$ through zero away from its boundary, the Kerr ring singularity, onto a negative-radius sheet. Equivalently cut two Cartesian sheets along the disk and join opposite banks, so $r$ changes sign continuously. The metric is analytic at the disk interior in signed oblate coordinates since $\Sigma =a^2{\cos }^2\theta \ne 0$ there. The extension has asymptotically flat ends at $r\to +\infty$ and $r\to -\infty$; only the singular ring remains inextendible by an analytic Lorentz metric.