Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2004-07-07
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
To be published in Binary Radio Pulsars, Proc. Aspen Conference, ASP Conf. Series, eds. F.A. Rasio & I.H. Stairs
Scientific paper
We describe results derived from thirty years of observations of PSR B1913+16. Together with the Keplerian orbital parameters, measurements of the relativistic periastron advance and a combination of gravitational redshift and time dilation yield the stellar masses with high accuracy. The measured rate of change of orbital period agrees with that expected from the emission of gravitational radiation, according to general relativity, to within about 0.2 percent. Systematic effects depending on the pulsar distance and on poorly known galactic constants now dominate the error budget, so tighter bounds will be difficult to obtain. Geodetic precession of the pulsar spin axis leads to secular changes in pulse shape as the pulsar-observer geometry changes. This effect makes it possible to model the two-dimensional structure of the beam. We find that the beam is elongated in the latitude direction and appears to be pinched in longitude near its center.
Taylor Joseph H. Jr.
Weisberg Joel M.
No associations
LandOfFree
Relativistic Binary Pulsar B1913+16: Thirty Years of Observations and Analysis does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Relativistic Binary Pulsar B1913+16: Thirty Years of Observations and Analysis, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Relativistic Binary Pulsar B1913+16: Thirty Years of Observations and Analysis will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-729182