Abstract
We describe an experiment which establishes, with a high degree of confidence, the existence of gravitational radiation as predicted by general relativity. The experiment involves observations of binary pulsar PSR 1913 + 16, measurements of which now reveal a rate of change of orbital period within about 15% of that predicted by the general relativistic “quadrupole formula.” We show that the gravitation theories of Rosen, Ni, and Lightman-Lee predict an orbital periodincrease, regardless of the relative masses of the pulsar and its (assumed compact) companion. The Brans-Dicke theory predicts a much more rapid period decrease than does general relativity, unless the masses and internal structures of the two bodies are very similar. Thus, in the absence of additionalad hoc assumptions, general relativity is the only well-studied theory of gravity consistent with our data.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Hulse, R. A., and Taylor, J. H. (1975).Astrophys. J. Lett.,195, L51.
Taylor, J. H., Hulse, R. A., Fowler, L. A., Gullahorn, G. E., and Rankin, J. M. (1976).Astrophys. J. Lett.,206, L53.
Fowler, L. A. (1978). Ph.D. dissertation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, unpublished.
McCulloch, P. M., Taylor, J. H., Weisberg, J. M. (1979).Astrophys. J. Lett.,227, L133.
Taylor, J. H., Fowler, L. A., and McCulloch, P. M. (1979).Nature,277, 437.
Taylor, J. H., and Weisberg, J. M. (1981).Astrophys. J., to be submitted.
Blandford, R., and Teukolsky, S. A. (1976).Astrophys. J.,205, 580.
Epstein, R. (1977).Astrophys. J.,216, 92.
Epstein, R. (1979).Astrophys. J.,231, 644.
Landau, L. D., and Lifshitz, E. M. (1962).The Classical Theory of Fields, Addison-Wesley, Reading, Massachusetts, p. 336.
Peters, P. C., and Mathews, J. (1963).Phys. Rev.,131, 435.
Will, C. M., and Eardley, D. M. (1977).Astrophys. J. Lett.,212, L91.
Will, C. M. (1980).Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci.,336, 307.
Will, C. M. (1977).Astrophys. J.,214, 826.
Eardley, D. M. (1975).Astrophys. J. Lett.,196, L59.
Wagoner, R. V. (1976).Gen. Rel. Grav.,7, 333.
Esposito, L. W., and Harrison, E. R. (1975).Astrophys. J. Lett.,196, L1.
Shapiro, S. L., and Terzian, Y. (1976).Astron. Astrophys.,52, 115.
Smarr, L. L., and Blandford, R. (1976).Astrophys. J.,207, 574.
Ehlers, J., Rosenblum, A., Goldberg, J. N., and Havas, P. (1976).Astrophys. J. Lett.,208, L77.
Cooperstock, F. I., and Hobill, D. W. (1980).Astrophys. J. Lett.,235, L55.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Weisberg, J.M., Taylor, J.H. Gravitational radiation from an orbiting pulsar. Gen Relat Gravit 13, 1–6 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00766292
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00766292