The new binary pulsar and the observation of gravitational spin precession

Hari Dass, N. D. ; Radhakrishnan, V. (1975) The new binary pulsar and the observation of gravitational spin precession Astrophysical Letters, 16 (4). pp. 135-139. ISSN 0004-6388

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Abstract

The possibility of observing gravitational spin precession due to spin-orbit coupling in a binary pulsar system is considered. An analysis is presented which can aid in delineating the relevant physical effects from pulse-structure data. In this analysis, it is assumed that the pulsar radiation emanates from a cone whose axis is tilted with respect to the axis of rotation. It is found that the time-averaged pulse width and polarization sweep vary periodically with time and that this variation has a periodicity of the order of the spin-precession frequency averaged over a complete revolution. It is concluded that for an orbital period of about 180 years, it suffices to measure polarization data with an accuracy of a few parts in 100 over a period of six months to a year in order to uncover the effects of spin precession. The consistency of the analysis is checked, and the calculations are applied to a recently discovered binary pulsar.

Item Type:Article
Source:Copyright of this article belongs to Gordon & Breach Publishers.
Keywords:Binary Stars; Gravitational Effects; Precession; Pulsars; Relativistic Effects; Spin-orbit Interactions; Pulse Duration; Stellar Radiation
ID Code:86988
Deposited On:14 Mar 2012 07:42
Last Modified:14 Mar 2012 07:42

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