GBT26A-241

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
Anne Archibald	Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy; McGill University; Newcastle University
Patrick O'Neill	Newcastle University
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
Scott Ransom *	National Radio Astronomy Observatory; Virginia, University of
Ioannis Kyriakopoulos	Amsterdam, Universiteit van

* indicates the PI