Proposed New Test of Spin Effects in General Relativity

TL;DR

This paper proposes a new test for detecting spin effects in general relativity using the double-pulsar system, focusing on orbital precession effects that could reveal insights into pulsar moments of inertia.

Contribution

It introduces a novel observational approach to detect spin effects in binary pulsars through orbital precession, complementing existing methods.

Findings

Potential to measure pulsar moments of inertia.

Orbital precession as an indicator of spin effects.

Enhanced understanding of relativistic spin interactions.

Abstract

The recent discovery of a double-pulsar PSR J0737-3039A/B provides an opportunity of unequivocally observing, for the first time, spin effects in general relativity. Existing efforts involve detection of the precession of the spinning body itself. However, for a close binary system, spin effects on the orbit may also be discernable. Not only do they add to the advance of the periastron (by an amount which is small compared to the conventional contribution) but they also give rise to a precession of the orbit about the spin direction. The measurement of such an effect would also give information on the moment of inertia of pulsars.