Labeling spherically symmetric spacetimes with the Ricci tensor

We complete the intrinsic characterization of spherically symmetric solutions partially accomplished in a previous paper (Ferrando and Sáez 2010 Class. Quantum Grav . 27 205024). In this approach we consider every compatible algebraic type of the Ricci tensor, and we analyze specifically the conformally flat case for perfect fluid and Einstein–Maxwell solutions. As a direct application we obtain the ideal labeling (exclusively involving explicit concomitants of the metric tensor) of the Schwarzschild interior metric and the Vaidya solution. The Stephani universes and some significative subfamilies are also characterized. (paper)