Special Astrophysics Seminar

Dynamical Studies and Strong-field Tests using Radio Pulsars

Emmanuel Fonseca

University of British Columbia

Radio pulsars often serve as unique and exquisite probes of gravitational interactions and system-formation mechanisms within different types of orbital systems. I will mainly discuss a recent, comprehensive study of PSR B1534+12, a 37.9-ms pulsar in a 10.1-hr orbit with another neutron star. Such relativistic systems are highly suitable for resolving many strong-field effects that can be used to test gravitational theory and uniquely derive geometric and inertial properties. I will also discuss an ongoing analysis of PSR B1620-26, an 11-ms pulsar in a hierarchical triple system with a Jupiter-mass companion located within the globular cluster M4, as well as the observational and theoretical challenges posed by this system.