Long-term project observations for project P455 semester 2025APRS_01

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 (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. We are collaborating with the MeerKAT Double Pulsar Timing team to optimise combination of MeerKAT and UWL data.

本项目旨在延续对首个双脉冲星系统的计时研究与脉冲轮廓分析——该系统是引力物理学研究的独特天然实验室。我们于2021年发表在长达53页的《物理评论X（Physical Review X）》上的论文中披露的重要成果，包含了对高阶光传播效应以及轨道相对论性形变的首次测量，同时凸显了针对该特殊天体系统开展长期观测项目（包含甚长基线干涉测量（Very Long Baseline Interferometry, VLBI）观测）的重要性。本项目的核心目标是为广义相对论提供截至目前最为严苛的检验，并首次实现对中子星转动惯量的测量。此外，我们还将测定该系统的几何结构，通过测地进动绘制脉冲星射束分布图，并搜寻脉冲星B的重现信号。我们将利用UWL接收机的高灵敏度与宽带宽特性，并与MeerKAT双脉冲星计时研究团队展开合作，以优化MeerKAT与UWL观测数据的联合处理流程。