Relativistic Spin Precession in the Double Pulsar
Abstract
The double pulsar PSR J0737-3039A/B consists of two neutron stars in a highly relativistic orbit that displays a roughly 30-second eclipse when pulsar A passes behind pulsar B. Describing this eclipse of pulsar A as due to absorption occurring in the magnetosphere of pulsar B, we successfully used a simple geometric model to characterize the observed changing eclipse morphology and to measure the relativistic precession of pulsar B's spin axis around the total orbital angular momentum. This provides a test of general relativity and alternative theories of gravity in the strong-field regime. Our measured relativistic spin precession rate of 4.77°-0°.65+0°.66 per year (68% confidence level) is consistent with that predicted by general relativity within an uncertainty of 13%.
- Publication:
-
Science
- Pub Date:
- July 2008
- DOI:
- 10.1126/science.1159295
- arXiv:
- arXiv:0807.2644
- Bibcode:
- 2008Sci...321..104B
- Keywords:
-
- ASTRONOMY;
- Astrophysics;
- General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
- E-Print:
- 28 pages, 6 figures, 1 table, 2 movies