Parkes observations for project P455 semester 2024APRS_04

This project is to continue timing and profile studies of the first double-pulsar system, a unique laboratory for gravitational physics. Important results published in our 53-page Phys. Rev. X paper (Kramer et al., Vol 11, October 2021) include the first measurements of higher-order light-propagation effects and of the relativistic deformation of the orbit and highlight the importance of a long term observational campaign, including VLBI observations, for this remarkable system. The main aims of this proposal are to provide the strongest tests to date for general relativity and to measure for the first time the moment-of-inertia of a neutron star. Additionally, we will determine the system geometry, map the pulsar beams via geodetic precession, and search for the reappearance of Pulsar B. We exploit the high sensitivity and broad bandwidth of the UWL receiver. Continuation of this project is vital to provide overlap with MeerKAT timing observations of the Double Pulsar system which commenced recently.

本项目旨在对首个双脉冲星系统（double-pulsar system）开展持续的计时与轮廓研究，该系统是引力物理学研究的独特天然实验室。我们于2021年10月发表在《物理评论X（Physical Review X）》第11卷、长达53页的论文（Kramer等人）中公布的重要研究成果，首次实现了对高阶光传播效应以及轨道相对论形变的测量，同时凸显了针对该特殊天体系统开展长期观测计划（包括甚长基线干涉测量（Very Long Baseline Interferometry，VLBI）观测）的必要性。本项目申请的核心目标是对广义相对论（general relativity）开展迄今为止最为严苛的检验，并首次实现对中子星转动惯量的测量。此外，我们还将测定该双脉冲星系统的几何结构，通过测地岁差（geodetic precession）绘制脉冲星射电束的分布图，并搜寻脉冲星B的重现信号。我们将利用UWL接收机（UWL receiver）的高灵敏度与宽带宽特性。延续本项目至关重要，可与近期启动的双脉冲星系统MeerKAT计时观测形成有效的观测数据重叠。