Retardation of Gravity in Binary Pulsars

TL;DR

This paper investigates how the retardation of gravity affects pulsar timing in binary systems, potentially providing observational evidence for General Relativity through measurable time delays.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of gravity retardation effects in pulsar timing and discusses conditions under which these effects can be observed.

Findings

Retardation of gravity causes a periodic excess time delay in pulsar signals.

The effect is significant in nearly edgewise binary pulsar orbits.

Measuring this effect can support tests of General Relativity.

Abstract

We study the effect of retardation of gravity in binary pulsars. It appears in pulsar timing formula as a periodic excess time delay to the Shapiro effect. The retardation of gravity effect can be large enough for observation in binary pulsars with the nearly edgewise orbits and relatively large ratio of the projected semimajor axis to the orbital period of the pulsar. If one succeeds in measuring the retardation of gravity it will give further experimental evidence in favor of General Relativity.