Observability of pulsar beam bending by the Sgr~A* black hole

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential to detect pulsar beams bent by the Sgr A* black hole, proposing that future telescopes could observe such events, providing new insights into black hole spacetime.

Contribution

It provides models and probability estimates for detecting pulsar beam deflections caused by the SMBH, highlighting the feasibility with upcoming telescopes.

Findings

Detection probability is marginal with current telescopes.

Future telescopes could significantly improve detection chances.

Multiyear observational programs are recommended for successful detection.

Abstract

According to some models, there may be a significant population of radio pulsars in the Galactic center. In principle, a beam from one of these pulsars could pass close to the supermassive black hole (SMBH) at the center, be deflected, and be detected by Earth telescopes. Such a configuration would be an unprecedented probe of the properties of spacetime in the moderate- to strong-field regime of the SMBH. We present here background on the problem, and approximations for the probability of detection of such beams. We conclude that detection is marginally probable with current telescopes, but that telescopes that will be operating in the near future, with an appropriate multiyear observational program, will have a good chance of detecting a beam deflected by the SMBH.