title: Relativistic spin precession in the double pulsar.
abstract: The double pulsar PSR J0737-3039A/B consists of two neutron stars in a highly relativistic orbit that displays a roughly 30-second eclipse when pulsar A passes behind pulsar B. Describing this eclipse of pulsar A as due to absorption occurring in the magnetosphere of pulsar B, we successfully used a simple geometric model to characterize the observed changing eclipse morphology and to measure the relativistic precession of pulsar B's spin axis around the total orbital angular momentum. This provides a test of general relativity and alternative theories of gravity in the strong-field regime. Our measured relativistic spin precession rate of 4.77 degrees (-0 degrees .65)(+0 degrees .66) per year (68% confidence level) is consistent with that predicted by general relativity within an uncertainty of 13%.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2T8, Canada. bretonr@physics.mcgill.ca
authors.forename: Rene P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Breton
authors.forename: Victoria M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Kaspi
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.forename: Maura A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: McLaughlin
authors.forename: Maxim
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lyutikov
authors.forename: Scott M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ransom
authors.forename: Ingrid H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Stairs
authors.forename: Robert D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Ferdman
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Camilo
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Possenti