Implications of a VLBI Distance to the Double Pulsar J0737-3039A/B
arXiv:0902.0996 · doi:10.1126/science.1167969
Abstract
The double pulsar J0737-3039A/B is a unique system with which to test gravitational theories in the strong-field regime. However, the accuracy of such tests will be limited by knowledge of the distance and relative motion of the system. Here we present very long baseline interferometry observations which reveal that the distance to PSR J0737-3039A/B is 1150+220-160 pc, more than double previous estimates, and confirm its low transverse velocity (~9 km/s). Combined with a decade of pulsar timing, these results will allow tests of gravitational radiation emission theories at the 0.01% level, putting stringent constraints on theories which predict dipolar gravitational radiation. They also allow insight into the system's formation and the source of its high-energy emission.
14 pages including supplementary online material, 1 figure. Accepted by Science, published online in Science Express on February 5 (10.1126/science.1167969)
References in corpus (6)
- Tests of general relativity from timing the double pulsar
- An Eccentric Binary Millisecond Pulsar in the Galactic Plane
- On the Formation and Progenitor of PSR J0737-3039: New Constraints on the Supernova Explosion Forming Pulsar B
- Pulsed X-ray Emission from Pulsar A in the Double Pulsar System J0737-3039
- The very soft X-ray spectrum of the Double Pulsar System J0737-3039
- PSR J0737-3039: Interacting Pulsars in X-Rays
Cited by in corpus (18)
- Formation of Double Neutron Star Systems
- Strong-field Gravity Tests with the Double Pulsar
- On Pulsar Distance Measurements and their Uncertainties
- The Binary Companion of Young, Relativistic Pulsar J1906+0746
- Gravitational-wave constraints on the equatorial ellipticity of millisecond pulsars
- Constraints on Natal Kicks in Galactic Double Neutron Star Systems
- Pulsars and Gravity
- Constraining the dense matter equation-of-state with radio pulsars
- Gravity experiments with radio pulsars
- A measurement of the Galactic plane mass density from binary pulsar accelerations
- Populating the Galaxy with pulsars -- II. Galactic dynamics
- An Observationally-Derived Kick Distribution for Neutron Stars in Binary Systems
- The Green Bank Northern Celestial Cap Pulsar Survey. VI. Timing and Discovery of PSR J1759+5036: A Double Neutron Star Binary Pulsar
- Geometrodynamics: The Nonlinear Dynamics of Curved Spacetime
- The orbital-decay test of general relativity to the 2% level with 6-year VLBA astrometry of the double neutron star PSR J1537+1155
- Revisiting Pulsar Velocities Using Gaia Data Release 2
- Gravitational Radiation from Compact Binary Pulsars
- Bare Collapse, Formation of Neutron Star Binaries and Fast Optical Transients