双脉冲星系统：相对论引力和等离子体物理学的稀有实验室。

A double-pulsar system: a rare laboratory for relativistic gravity and plasma physics.

作者信息

Lyne A G, Burgay M, Kramer M, Possenti A, Manchester R N, Camilo F, McLaughlin M A, Lorimer D R, D'Amico N, Joshi B C, Reynolds J, Freire P C C

机构信息

Jodrell Bank Observatory, University of Manchester, Macclesfield SK11 9DL, UK.

出版信息

Science. 2004 Feb 20;303(5661):1153-7. doi: 10.1126/science.1094645. Epub 2004 Jan 8.

DOI:10.1126/science.1094645

PMID:14716022

Abstract

The clocklike properties of pulsars moving in the gravitational fields of their unseen neutron-star companions have allowed unique tests of general relativity and provided evidence for gravitational radiation. We report here the detection of the 2.8-second pulsar J0737-3039B as the companion to the 23-millisecond pulsar J0737-3039A in a highly relativistic double neutron star system, allowing unprecedented tests of fundamental gravitational physics. We observed a short eclipse of J0737-3039A by J0737-3039B and orbital modulation of the flux density and the pulse shape of J0737-3039B, probably because of the influence of J0737-3039A's energy flux on its magnetosphere. These effects will allow us to probe magneto-ionic properties of a pulsar magnetosphere.

摘要

在不可见的中子星伴星引力场中运动的脉冲星所具有的类似时钟的特性，使得对广义相对论进行了独特的检验，并为引力辐射提供了证据。我们在此报告，在一个高度相对论性的双中子星系统中，探测到2.8秒脉冲星J0737 - 3039B是23毫秒脉冲星J0737 - 3039A的伴星，这使得对基础引力物理学进行前所未有的检验成为可能。我们观测到J0737 - 3039A被J0737 - 3039B短暂掩食，以及J0737 - 3039B的流量密度和脉冲形状的轨道调制，这可能是由于J0737 - 3039A的能量通量对其磁层的影响。这些效应将使我们能够探究脉冲星磁层的磁离子特性。