Tidal friction in the binary pulsar system PSR 1913+16

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1976 · Astrophys. J., v. 203, no. 1, pp. 202-205

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/154066· OSTI ID:4033314

Balbus, S A; Brecher, K

It is shown that in the binary stars system containing the pulsar PSR 1913+16; orbital-period changes produced by tidal friction may be significant. If the unseen companion is a white dwarf with a turbulent atmosphere, one expects orbital-period changes of order (P$sup -1$dP/dt) approx. =10$sup -9$ yr$sup -1$. This is larger than the predicted period change due to gravitational radiation and other higher-order post-Newtonian effects. Detection of an orbital-period increase of this magnitude will almost certainly imply that the unseen companion is a white dwarf. (AIP)

• Research Organization: Department of Physics and Center for Space Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-33-030563
• OSTI ID: 4033314
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J., v. 203, no. 1, pp. 202-205, Journal Name: Astrophys. J., v. 203, no. 1, pp. 202-205; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*BINARY STARS-- PULSARS
640102* --Physics Research--Astrophysics & Cosmology--Stars
ANGULAR MOMENTUM
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
GRAVITATIONAL RADIATION
N56200* --Physics (Astrophysics & Cosmology)--Stars
N56300 --Physics (Astrophysics & Cosmology)--Quasi-stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
RELATIVITY THEORY
TIDE
WHITE DWARF STARS