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Three decades of binary pulsar observations reconfirm the existence of gravitational waves

Published At: 2010-11-06 11:03 -
Orbital decay caused by the loss of energy by gravitational radiation. The parabola depicts the expected shift of periastron time relative to an unchanging orbit, according to  general relativity. Data points represent radio observations (credit: Weisberg et al, 2010)
Three decades of radio observations of the binary pulsar PSR B1913+16 continue to show that the nature of gravitational waves is very much like that predicted by Einstein's General Theory of Relativity! The system's orbital period has been decreasing at a rate 0.997� 0.002 times that predicted by General Relativity due to gravitational radiation damping. This provides one of the most accurate experimental evidence of the validity of General Relativity.

Further reading:
ApJ Article (astro-ph )

Record neutron star mass rules out exotics

Published At: 2010-11-02 11:06 -
Artist's impression of a binary pulsar. Credit: Michael Kramer (Jodrell Bank Observatory, University of Manchester).
New observations of the binary millisecond pulsar PSR J1614-2230 have identified one of its components as the most massive neutron star for which a precise mass is known � nearly 20% greater than previous highest values. Neutron stars are composed of the densest form of matter known, and millisecond pulsars are rotating neutron stars. The observed range of neutron star masses has hitherto been too narrow to rule out many predictions of 'exotic' non-nucleonic components, but this pulsar weighs in at around two solar masses, ruling out almost all currently proposed equations of state involving exotic hyperon or boson condensates.


Prototype of gravitational wave detector on cards, to aid study

Published At: 2010-09-24 00:57 -
Pune : Indian gravitational wave astronomy has taken one step closer to studying gravitational waves, which may be able to provide direct evidence for the existence of black holes as a prototype is being built of a gravitational wave detector. The project is being carried out by Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR)... Indian Express

Einstein machine by home experts

Published At: 2010-09-17 00:59 -
New Delhi, Sept. 17: Indian scientists have received a go-ahead to build India�s first prototype instrument to establish local experimental expertise to detect gravitational waves predicted by Albert Einstein, but not directly observed yet... The Telegraph

TIFR approves the construction of a 3-meter prototype interferometer

Published At: 2010-09-16 01:00 -
The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai has approved and funded the proposal for the construction of a 3-meter scale advanced interferometer prototype. The interferometer will be built initially at the Mumbai campus of TIFR. Stressing on the lead TIFR has always taken in initiating frontier research areas, the Director and the Dean of Natural Sciences Faculty of the TIFR expressed their keen interest in seeding and developing experimental gravitational-wave research in India.

IndIGO School on Gravitational Wave Astronomy

Published At: 2010-07-21 01:06 -
13-24 December 2010
University of Delhi

The IndIGO collaboration, in collaboration with the IUCAA Resource Center at the University of Delhi is organizing an introductory school on gravitational-wave astronomy. This introductory school is aimed to expose the students to the emerging and exciting research frontier of gravitational wave astronomy.
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