Parkes observations for project P455 semester 2023APRS_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., December 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 and map the pulsar beams via geodetic precession. We will exploit the high sensitivity and broad bandwidth of the UWL receiver.

本项目旨在对首个双脉冲星系统（double-pulsar system）开展持续计时与剖面研究，该系统是开展引力物理研究的独特实验平台。我们发表于《物理评论X》(Physical Review X)的53页篇幅论文（Kramer等，2021年12月）中公布的重要成果，包含了高阶光传播效应与轨道相对论形变的首批测量结果，同时凸显了针对该特殊系统开展长期观测计划（包括甚长基线干涉测量(VLBI)观测）的重要性。本项目的核心目标，是为广义相对论（general relativity）提供迄今为止最为严苛的检验，并首次实现对中子星转动惯量（moment-of-inertia of a neutron star）的测量。此外，我们还将通过测地岁差（geodetic precession）确定该双星系统的几何结构，并绘制脉冲星波束分布图。本研究将充分利用UWL接收机的高灵敏度与宽带宽特性。