2009/02/05 by Adam T. Deller, A. T. Deller, M. Bailes +1 · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · #Astronomy #Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations #Astrophysics #Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena #Geodesy #Geology #Physics #Pulsar #Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research #Very-long-baseline interferometry #astro-ph.SR
paper · pdf · doi:10.1126/science.1167969
14 pages including supplementary online material, 1 figure. Accepted by Science, published online in Science Express on February 5 (10.1126/science.1167969)
arxiv created 2009/02/05 · openalex publication_date 2009/02/07 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
The double pulsar J0737-3039A/B is a unique system with which to test gravitational theories in the strong-field regime. However, the accuracy of such tests will be limited by knowledge of the distance and relative motion of the system. Here we present very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations which reveal that the distance to PSR J0737-3039A/B is 1150(-160)(+220) parsecs, more than double previous estimates, and confirm its low transverse velocity ( approximately 9 kilometers per second). Combined with a decade of pulsar timing, these results will allow tests of gravitational radiation emission theories at the 0.01% uncertainty level, putting stringent constraints on theories that predict dipolar gravitational radiation. They also allow insight into the system's formation and the source of its high-energy emission.