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PSR J1909-3744: A Binary Millisecond Pulsar with a Very Small Duty Cycle
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 19:25 authored by Jacoby, BA, Bailes, M, van Kerkwijk, MH, Ord, S, Hotan, AW, Kulkarni, SR, Anderson, SBWe report the discovery of PSR J1909-3744, a 2.95 ms pulsar in a nearly circular 1.53 day orbit. Its narrow pulse width of 43 μs allows pulse anival times to be determined with great accuracy. We have spectroscopically identified the companion as a moderately hot (7 ≈ 8500 K) white dwarf with strong absorption lines. Radial velocity measurements of the companion will yield the mass ratio of the system. Our timing data suggest the presence of Shapiro delay; we expect that further timing observations, combined with the mass ratio, will allow the first accurate determination of a millisecond pulsar mass. We have measured the timing parallax and proper motion for this pulsar, which indicate a transverse velocity of 140-40 -80 km s-1. This pulsar's stunningly narrow pulse profile makes it an excellent candidate for precision timing experiments that attempt to detect low-frequency gravitational waves from coalescing supermassive black hole binaries.
History
Publication title
The Astrophysical JournalVolume
599Issue
2 IIPagination
L99-L102ISSN
0004-637XDepartment/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
University of Chicago PressPlace of publication
Chicago, USARepository Status
- Restricted