A Double-Pulsar System: A Rare Laboratory for Relativistic Gravity and Plasma Physics

2004896 citationsJournal Articlegreen Open Access

Authors

A. G. Lyne · SKA Observatory

M. Burgay · University of Manchester

M. Krämer · University of Manchester

Andrea Possenti · Osservatorio astronomico di Bologna

R. N. Manchester · Osservatorio astronomico di Bologna

F. Camilo · Osservatorio astronomico di Bologna

M. A. McLaughlin ·

Abstract

The clocklike properties of pulsars moving in the gravitational fields of their unseen neutron-star companions have allowed unique tests of general relativity and provided evidence for gravitational radiation. We report here the detection of the 2.8-second pulsar J0737-3039B as the companion to the 23-millisecond pulsar J0737-3039A in a highly relativistic double neutron star system, allowing unprecedented tests of fundamental gravitational physics. We observed a short eclipse of J0737-3039A by J0737-3039B and orbital modulation of the flux density and the pulse shape of J0737-3039B, probably because of the influence of J0737-3039A's energy flux on its magnetosphere. These effects will allow us to probe magneto-ionic properties of a pulsar magnetosphere.

Topics & Keywords

Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research Atomic and Subatomic Physics Research Geophysics and Sensor Technology

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Affordable and clean energy

Publication Details

Published in: Science

Volume 303, Issue 5661, pp. 1153-1157

DOI: 10.1126/science.1094645

Field-Weighted Citation Impact: 42.56