Binary Systems as Test-beds of Gravity Theories

TL;DR

This paper reviews how binary systems with neutron stars or black holes serve as natural laboratories for testing the predictions of General Relativity and alternative gravity theories through their motion and timing data.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of methods to use binary pulsar observations to test strong-field and radiative predictions of gravity theories.

Findings

Binary pulsar data can test strong-field gravity effects.

Observations constrain alternative gravity theories.

Timing measurements confirm key predictions of General Relativity.

Abstract

We review the general relativistic theory of the motion, and of the timing, of binary systems containing compact objects (neutron stars or black holes). Then we indicate the various ways one can use binary pulsar data to test the strong-field and/or radiative aspects of General Relativity, and of general classes of alternative theories of relativistic gravity.