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Discovery of a pulsar in a binary system
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1975
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A pulsar has been discovered in a binary system. The discovery enables studies of compact objects, close binary astrophysics, and relativistic effects. A pulsar with a 0.058967–0.059045 s period in a 0.3230‑day binary orbit was detected, showing a velocity curve with a 1.0 R☉ projected semimajor axis, e = 0.615, f(m) = 0.13 M☉, no eclipses, and a compact companion of similar mass. Published in The Astrophysical Journal (1975), DOI 10.1086/181708.
view Abstract Citations (1350) References (4) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Discovery of a pulsar in a binary system. Hulse, R. A. ; Taylor, J. H. Abstract We have detected a pulsar with a pulsation period that varies systematically between 0.058967 and 0.059045 sec over a cycle of 0.3230 d. Approximately 200 independent observations over 5-minute intervals have yielded a well-sampled velocity curve which implies a binary orbit with projected semimajor axis sin i = 1.0 solar radius, eccentricity e = 0.615, and mass function f(m) = 0.13 solar mass. No eclipses are observed. We infer that the unseen companion is a compact object with mass comparable to that of the pulsar. In addition to the obvious potential for determining the masses of the pulsar and its companion, this discovery makes feasible a number of studies involving the physics of compact objects, the astrophysics of close binary systems, and special- and general-relativistic effects. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: January 1975 DOI: 10.1086/181708 Bibcode: 1975ApJ...195L..51H Keywords: Binary Stars; Orbital Elements; Pulsars; Relativistic Effects; Black Holes (Astronomy); Companion Stars; Eccentric Orbits; Mass Ratios; Neutron Stars; Radial Velocity; Velocity Distribution; Astronomy full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (1)