GBT24B-435

Continued Timing of a Millisecond Pulsar in a Stellar Triple System

Abstract

The hierarchical triple system PSR J0337+1715 has provided us with a uniquely powerful test of the Strong Equivalence Principle - a fundamental tenet of general relativity (Archibald et al. 2018, Nature, 559, 73). However, the power of PSR J0337+1715 as a laboratory for gravitational theories is limited by systematics in the pulsar times of arrival. These may arise, for example, from variations in the intervening inter-stellar medium, from variable solar weather, from inaccuracies in online folding ephemerides or even from potential planets orbiting the system. Learning to mitigate these systematics could improve the result by a factor of about three even without additional data. Here we request continued monitoring with an improved approach at 1400 MHz (complemented by ongoing CHIME/Pulsar observations at 400-800 MHz) to better identify the origin of these systematics and to, ultimately, provide a stronger test of gravitational theory. As a secondary goal, we aim to apply what we learn about systematics mitigation to other high-precision pulsar timing projects.

Investigators

Name	Institution
Nina Gusinskaia *	Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy; Amsterdam, Universiteit van
Patrick O'Neill	Newcastle University
Scott Ransom	National Radio Astronomy Observatory; Virginia, University of
Jason Hessels	Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy; Amsterdam, Universiteit van
David Kaplan	Wisconsin at Milwaukee, University of
Ingrid Stairs	British Columbia, University of
Ryan Lynch	Green Bank Observatory
Adam Deller	Swinburne University of Technology
Anne Archibald	Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy; McGill University; Newcastle University

* indicates the PI