Albert is Still Looking Good.

  • Thread starter Labguy
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In summary, a recent release from Ned Wright's Cosmology site discusses the discovery of a double radio pulsar, PSR J0737-3039 A&B. The pulsar has a relativistic orbit and was initially reported as a single pulsar in a binary system on 4 Dec 2003. The mass of pulsar A is 1.337+/-0.005 M(sun) while the mass of pulsar B is 1.250+/-0.005 M(sun), and these values are consistent with all 6 measured constraints, providing a strong test of General Relativity. Additionally, a paper published in Nature on 4 Dec 2003 discusses the properties of this amazing binary pulsar
  • #1
Labguy
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Recent release, passed through Ned Wright's Cosmology site:
http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~wright/cosmolog.htm#04Dec03

"A Double Radio Pulsar.
9 Jan 2004 - Lyne et al. (2004, Science in press) gives the details about PSR J0737-3039 A&B, the double radio pulsar binary with a relativistic orbit, previously reported as a single pulsar in a binary system on 4 Dec 2003. The mass of the 23 millisecond pulsar (A) is 1.337+/-0.005 M(sun) while the mass of the 2.8 second pulsar (B) is 1.250+/-0.005 M(sun). There are now 6 measured constraints on (MA,MB) and the values given above are consistent with all 6 constraints, providing a stringent test of General Relativity which GR passes with flying colors
". And:

"An amazing binary pulsar.
4 Dec 03 - Nature today published a paper (Burgay et al. 2003, Nature, 426, 531-533) about a newly announced millisecond pulsar, PSR J0737-3039, in a relativistic binary system. Radio pulsars are neutron stars (NS) which have a mass of about 1.4 solar masses and a radius of 10 km, magnetic fields billions to trillions of times larger than the Earth's magnetic field, and spin periods from 1.6 milliseconds to several seconds. PSR J0737-3039 is orbiting another neutron star every 2.4 hours and the two stars will merge in 85 Myr due to gravitational radiation. Hence LIGO will have many more detectable NS+NS merger events based on the statistics of two objects instead of the previous estimate based solely on the one merging binary pulsar PSR B1913+16 known earlier.

There is currently a program on the GBT radiotelescope schedule entitled "RRS Observations of the Double Binary Pulsar PSR J0737-3039" indicating that this is more than just a pulsar in orbit around a neutron star. And there is a Director's Discretionary Time Chandra observing proposal that says that both neutron stars in this system are pulsars, the previously announced pulsar with 22 millisecond period and a 2.7 second period for the companion. The millisecond pulsar (A) is eclipsed for 22 seconds as it passes behind the slow pulsar (the B component). Since the relative motion of the two stars is 14,000 km in 22 seconds, this eclipse must be caused by a wind coming from the B component instead of the disk of the neutron star which is tiny
".
 
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  • #2
great news Labguy, thanks for posting this!
 
  • #3


The recent release about the double radio pulsar, PSR J0737-3039 A&B, is certainly an exciting discovery in the field of cosmology. The fact that this binary system is providing a stringent test of General Relativity and has passed with flying colors is a testament to the progress we have made in understanding the laws of the universe. It is also amazing to think that these two neutron stars will eventually merge due to gravitational radiation, which will provide even more data for future studies.

Furthermore, the discovery of this double binary pulsar has implications for future observations and research. The fact that the GBT radiotelescope and Chandra observing proposal are already focused on studying this system shows the potential for even more groundbreaking discoveries. The fact that the eclipsing of the millisecond pulsar is caused by a wind from the slow pulsar is also a fascinating detail that adds to our understanding of these objects.

Overall, Albert is definitely still looking good with this recent release, and I look forward to seeing what further insights and discoveries will come from studying this double binary pulsar.
 

1. What is "Albert is Still Looking Good"?

"Albert is Still Looking Good" is a phrase often used to refer to Albert Einstein's enduring legacy and continued relevance in the scientific community. It is a testament to his groundbreaking contributions to physics and his lasting impact on our understanding of the universe.

2. Why is Albert Einstein still considered an influential scientist?

Albert Einstein's work in theoretical physics, particularly his theory of general relativity, revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and gravity. His famous equation, E=mc2, also paved the way for advancements in nuclear energy and led to the development of the atomic bomb. His ideas continue to inspire and shape scientific research today.

3. What are some of Albert Einstein's most notable achievements?

Some of Albert Einstein's most notable achievements include his theory of general relativity, his explanation of the photoelectric effect, and his contributions to the development of quantum mechanics. He also made significant contributions to the study of Brownian motion and the theory of special relativity.

4. How did Albert Einstein's work impact the scientific community?

Albert Einstein's work has had a profound impact on the scientific community. His theories and discoveries have opened up new avenues of research and led to numerous advancements in physics, astronomy, and other scientific fields. His ideas have also influenced the way we think about the universe and our place in it.

5. What can we learn from Albert Einstein's legacy?

Albert Einstein's legacy teaches us the importance of curiosity, creativity, and persistence in scientific inquiry. He was known for his unconventional thinking and willingness to challenge established beliefs, which ultimately led to groundbreaking discoveries. His legacy also reminds us to value and support scientific research, as it has the potential to greatly impact our understanding of the world.

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