Parkes observations for project P1005 semester 2020APRS_01

We propose to conduct observations of PSR J1812-15, a of 1-s pulsar which exhibits both nulling behaviour and clear evidence of acceleration, suggesting that it is in a binary system. Binary pulsars are valuable objects of scientific study, allowing for a wide range of applications, including tests of gravity, probes of the neutron star equation of state and fossil records of stellar evolution. Long spin-period pulsars in binary systems are generally much rarer than faster-spinning recycled pulsars, and represent an under-explored region of pulsar binary evolution. Due to the nulling behaviour of PSRs J1812-15, determination of an orbital or phase-connected solution has so far proved impossible, but both of these steps are vital in allowing for the pulsar’s continued study. We propose a targeted, high-cadence observing campaign designed to map the orbits of this pulsar while simultaneously factoring in the redundancy required in order to overcome its nulling behaviour. By studying this pulsar, we hope to provide new insight into an unusual class of pulsar binary, as well to constrain the nulling properties of the pulsar.