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I. H. Stairs (UBC), M. Kramer, A. G. Lyne, M. A. McLaughlin, D. R. Lorimer (JBO), R. N. Manchester (ATNF), M. Burgay, A. Possenti, N. D'Amico (Cagliari), P. C. C. Freire (NAIC), B. C. Joshi (NCRA), F. Camilo (Columbia), R. D. Ferdman (UBC)
We present updated timing and profile evolution observations of the recently discovered double pulsar. Our data from Parkes, the GBT and other telescopes provides 5 measured "post-Keplerian" timing parameters, incorporating the Shapiro delay parameters, the time dilation/gravitational redshift, the advance of periastron and the orbital period decay; these parameters are fully consistent with the predictions of general relativity. In addition, measurement of the projected semi-major axes of the two orbits yields the mass ratio of the two stars, a unique and fundamentally different constraint as it is independent of the effects of strong-field gravity. The profiles of both pulsars are expected to change rapidly due to geodetic precession of their spin axes; we report on observational progress toward detecting these effects. Finally, we discuss the system's promise for future relativistic observables.
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 37 #2
© 2005. The American Astronomical Soceity.