Hemisphere-averaged Hellings-Downs curve between pulsar pairs for a gravitational wave source

Abstract

The Hellings-Downs (HD) curve plays a crucial role in search for nano-hertz gravitational waves (GWs) with pulsar timing arrays. We discuss the angular pattern of correlations for pulsar pairs within a celestial hemisphere. The hemisphere-averaged correlation curve depends upon the sky location of a GW compact source like a binary of supermassive black holes. If a single source is dominant, the variation in the hemisphere-averaged angular correlation is greatest when the hemisphere has its North Pole at the sky location of the GW source. Possible GW amplitude and source distance relevant to the current PTAs by using the hemisphere-averaged correlation are also studied.

6 pages, 6 figures, GW amplitude and source distance added, figures 3 and 4 updated, accepted for PRD