The Deceptively Boring PSR J1738+0333

TL;DR

This paper reports seven years of precise timing observations of the pulsar-white dwarf binary PSR J1738+0333, including measurements of proper motion, parallax, and orbital decay, with implications for gravitational wave emission.

Contribution

It provides new high-precision measurements of the system's parameters, enabling tests of gravitational theories and neutron star mass determinations.

Findings

Detection of orbital decay consistent with general relativity

Measurement of the optical companion and mass ratio

Potential to constrain dipolar gravitational wave emission

Abstract

We present preliminary results of 7 years of Arecibo timing of the pulsar-white dwarf binary PSR J1738+0333. We can measure the proper motion, parallax with excellent precision and have detected the orbital decay. Furthermore, the companion has been detected at optical wavelengths and a mass ratio of 8.1 +/- 0.3 has been measured from the orbital variation of its Doppler shift. Once the companion mass is determined from the optical measurements, this system will provide strong limits for the radiation of dipolar gravitational waves. Assuming that general relativity holds, the fast-improving measurement of the orbital decay, combined with the measurement of the mass ratio, will provide an independent and precise measurement of the component masses.