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Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik,
University of Glasgow, Cardiff University, University of Birmingham, Universitat de les Illes Balears
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Einstein@Home detects unusual stellar pair

The neutron star and its companion could prove helpful in testing the general theory of relativity Neutron stars are quite unique: the material they are made of is packed much more densely than conventional matter. They rotate extremely fast about their own axis, emitting radiation in the process, so they are often visible as pulsars in the radio spectrum. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics in Hanover, working as part of the international PALFA Collaboration, and with the help of participants in the Einstein@Home project, have now discovered a pulsar accompanied by a white dwarf – a burnt-out star. The researchers want to weigh the pair, using what is known as the Shapiro effect. (Astrophysical Journal Letters, 732/1 L1)
Einstein@Home detects unusual stellar pair

Copyright: AEI

The neutron star and its companion could prove helpful in testing the general theory of relativity

Neutron stars are quite unique: the material they are made of is packed much
more densely than conventional matter. They rotate extremely fast about
their own axis, emitting radiation in the process, so they are often visible as
pulsars in the radio spectrum. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for
Gravitational Physics in Hanover, working as part of the international PALFA
Collaboration, and with the help of participants in the Einstein@Home
project, have now discovered a pulsar accompanied by a white dwarf – a
burnt-out star. The researchers want to weigh the pair, using what is known
as the Shapiro effect. (Astrophysical Journal Letters, 732/1 L1)

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