PSR J0348+0432, Pulsar with white dwarf companion

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    Pulsar White dwarf
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the binary system PSR J0348+0432, which consists of a pulsar and a white dwarf companion. Participants explore its implications for general relativity (GR) and the characteristics of the pulsar, including its mass and size.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that PSR J0348+0432 is providing further confirmation of general relativity, being only the second neutron star with a precisely determined mass of approximately 2 solar masses.
  • One participant mentions that the pulsar is about 20 km across, referencing multiple sources for this information.
  • Another participant points out a discrepancy in the radius of the pulsar as listed on Wikipedia, which states it is 13 km instead of 20 km.
  • There is a suggestion that the 20 km measurement refers to the diameter rather than the radius, indicating a potential misunderstanding or clarification needed regarding the terminology.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the size of the pulsar, with some agreeing on the 20 km diameter while others reference the 13 km radius from Wikipedia, indicating a lack of consensus on this detail.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes references to various sources that may have differing information regarding the pulsar's characteristics, highlighting potential limitations in the available data.

Astronuc
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Apparently this binary system is providing yet further confirmation of GR. It is only the second NS with a precisely determined mass ~ 2 solar masses.

Pulsar-White Dwarf Pair Proves Einstein’s Theory of Relativity
http://www.sci-news.com/astronomy/article01046.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PSR_J0348+0432

PSR J0348+0432 is about two solar masses, but just ~20 km across.

http://www.eso.org/public/news/eso1319/

http://aspen13.phys.wvu.edu/aspen_talks/antoniadis_aspen.pdf

http://www.astro.uni-bonn.de/NS2013/Wex.pdf

http://th.physik.uni-frankfurt.de/~colucci/bonn_workshop_0348.pdf
 
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Nice. Thanks for the links, Astronuc.
 
Odd, the wikipedia article lists the radius of the pulsar as 13 km instead of 20.
 
I think ~20 km is the diameter, not radius.
 
Chronos said:
I think ~20 km is the diameter, not radius.

Ah, I see.
 

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