Here we report timing measurements of the relativistic binary PSR J1141-6545 that constrain the component masses and demonstrate that the orbital period derivative Pb = (-4 ± 1) × 10-13 is consistent with gravitational wave emission as described by the general theory of relativity. The mass of the neutron star and its companion are 1.30 ± 0.02 and 0.986 ± 0.02 M⊙, respectively, suggesting a white dwarf companion and extending the range of systems for which general relativity provides a correct description. On evolutionary grounds, the progenitor mass of PSR J1141-6545 should be near the minimum for neutron star production. Its mass is 2 standard deviations below the mean of the other neutron stars, suggesting a relationship between progenitor and remnant masses.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Physical Sciences
Research Group:	Astronomical sciences
Research Field:	Galactic astronomy
Objective Division:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Group:	Expanding knowledge
Objective Field:	Expanding knowledge in the physical sciences
UTAS Author:	Hotan, AW (Dr Aidan Hotan)
ID Code:	45119
Year Published:	2003
Web of Science® Times Cited:	76
Deposited By:	Physics
Deposited On:	2007-07-03
Last Modified:	2007-07-03
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