What is a binary pulsar?
Q: What is a binary pulsar?
A: A binary pulsar is a pulsar with a binary companion, often a white dwarf or neutron star.
Q: What is the companion star of a binary pulsar?
A: The companion star of a binary pulsar is often a white dwarf or neutron star, but in at least one case (the double pulsar PSR J0737-3039), the companion star is another pulsar as well.
Q: What is the significance of binary pulsars in physics?
A: Binary pulsars are significant in physics because they allow physicists to test general relativity in the case of a strong gravitational field.
Q: Is it possible to observe the companion star of a binary pulsar?
A: Usually, the companion star to the pulsar is difficult or impossible to observe.
Q: How can the timing of pulses from a binary pulsar be measured?
A: The timing of pulses from a binary pulsar can be measured with extraordinary accuracy by radio telescopes.
Q: What has binary pulsar timing indirectly confirmed?
A: Binary pulsar timing has indirectly confirmed the existence of gravitational radiation.
Q: What theory has binary pulsar timing verified?
A: Binary pulsar timing has verified Einstein's general theory of relativity.
