Binary pulsars and general relativity

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around binary pulsars and their relationship with general relativity, focusing on the implications of binary pulsars as strong-field tests of the theory, particularly through the example of PSR 1913+16. Participants explore various aspects of binary pulsars, including their detection, characteristics, and significance in astrophysics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants highlight that PSR 1913+16 serves as a strong-field confirmation of general relativity, acting as a naturally occurring relativistic experiment due to the pulsar's precision as a clock.
  • It is noted that the discovery of the first binary pulsar in 1974 contributed to the support for the existence of gravitational waves, earning the discoverers a Nobel Prize.
  • One participant mentions that the two neutron stars in PSR 1913+16 are gradually spiraling closer together and will eventually coalesce, emitting gravitational waves in the process.
  • There is some confusion regarding the nature of the common mass around which the pulsars orbit, with one participant questioning if it is a black hole, while another clarifies that it is a center of mass without the necessity of a black hole's presence.
  • Participants discuss the visibility of pulsars, noting that they are too small to be seen optically and can only be detected through the pulses they emit.
  • There is a clarification that only one of the two stars in the binary system is a pulsar, despite the system being referred to as 'Binary Pulsars'.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express some agreement on the significance of PSR 1913+16 in relation to general relativity and gravitational waves, but there is uncertainty regarding the nature of the common mass and the terminology used for binary pulsars. The discussion remains unresolved on these points.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the definitions of terms like "center of mass" and the visibility of pulsars, as well as the specific characteristics of the binary system being discussed.

vladimir69
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hi
just wondering if anyone knows some interesting things about binary pulsars in relation to general relativity. i have to give a short presentation on the topic and need some ideas on what to talk about

thanks in advance
 
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Try a google for "binary pulsar general relativity". You should find a lot of articles about PSR 1913+16, and the researchers who got the Nobel prize for their discovery.

Basically this is one of the few strong-field confirmations of GR that we have. A pulsar is a highly accurate clock, so astronomy has blessed us with a naturally occurring relativistic experiment.
 
It was the discovery of the first Binary pulsar in 1974 that strengthened the possibility of the existence of gravitational waves. It also got the dicsoverers one of the few Nobels given for astrophysics.

You can find more information here:http://nobelprize.org/physics/laureates/1993/index.html
 
thanks for the replies
i will be sure to check out that link
 
The two neutrons stars forming PSR 1913+16 are orbiting around the center of mass of the system, but are progressively coming closer together. They will eventually coalesce in about 300 million of years, emiting copious amounts of gravitational waves during the collision
 
i'm just a little unclear about something
is the common mass they orbit around a black hole? and can the pulsars actually be seen or only detected by the pulses they emit periodically?
 
Last edited:
jimbo007 said:
i'm just a little unclear about something
is the common mass they orbit around a black hole? and can the pulsars actually be seen or only detected by the pulses they emit periodically?

The two pulsars orbit around a common centre of mass and not a common mass and, as far as we know, it does not contain a black hole. The concept of centre of mass makes it easier to study a system made up of many particles and it is not necessary for mass to exist and the centre of mass.

Pulsars/Neurton stars are too small to be seen optically. It's surroundings can be detected with optical and x-ray telescopes.
 
As far as I know, only one of the two stars is a pulsar.
 
pervect said:
As far as I know, only one of the two stars is a pulsar.

You're right, but I don't why the system is usually referred to as 'Binary Pulsars'. PSR 1913+16 was the first known binay neutron star system and the only known binary pulsar is J0737–3039.
 

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