The International Pulsar Timing Array: First Data Release
J. P. W. Verbiest, L. Lentati, G. Hobbs, R. van Haasteren, P. B., Demorest, G. H. Janssen, J.-B. Wang, G. Desvignes, R. N. Caballero, M. J., Keith, D. J. Champion, Z. Arzoumanian, S. Babak, C. G. Bassa, N. D. R. Bhat,, A. Brazier, P. Brem, M. Burgay, S. Burke-Spolaor

TL;DR
The paper presents the first joint analysis of data from multiple pulsar timing arrays, demonstrating improved gravitational wave detection limits and discussing challenges and recommendations for future pulsar timing research.
Contribution
It is the first combined analysis of IPTA data, highlighting data integration challenges and providing a more stringent gravitational wave background limit.
Findings
IPTA data improves gravitational-wave limits by a factor of ~2
Provides a 2-sigma limit on stochastic GWB amplitude of 1.7x10^{-15}
Identifies key challenges in combining heterogeneous pulsar timing data
Abstract
The highly stable spin of neutron stars can be exploited for a variety of (astro-)physical investigations. In particular arrays of pulsars with rotational periods of the order of milliseconds can be used to detect correlated signals such as those caused by gravitational waves. Three such "Pulsar Timing Arrays" (PTAs) have been set up around the world over the past decades and collectively form the "International" PTA (IPTA). In this paper, we describe the first joint analysis of the data from the three regional PTAs, i.e. of the first IPTA data set. We describe the available PTA data, the approach presently followed for its combination and suggest improvements for future PTA research. Particular attention is paid to subtle details (such as underestimation of measurement uncertainty and long-period noise) that have often been ignored but which become important in this unprecedentedly…
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