PSR J1141−6545

PSR J1141−6545 is a pulsar in the constellation of Musca (the fly).[1] Located at 11h 41m 07.02s −65° 45′ 19.1″, it is a binary pair composed of a white dwarf star orbiting a pulsar.

PSR J1141-6545

Observation data Epoch J2000      Equinox
Constellation
Right ascension
Declination
Observation data Epoch J2000      Equinox
Constellation
'
Right ascension
Declination
Apparent magnitude (V)
'
Right ascension
Declination
Apparent magnitude (V)
Characteristics
Astrometry
Orbit
Primary	A
Companion	B
Details
Position (relative to )
Other designations

Musca.

[2][3][4] Because of this unusual configuration and the close proximity of the two stars it has been used to test several of Einstein's theories.[3][5][6]

PSR J1141−6545 is notable because it has shown several relativistic theories to have real-world results. The star is emitting gravitational waves and the process of time dilation appears to be affecting the orbit of the white dwarf. In January 2020 it was announced that the stars were also showing the Lense-Thirring effect,[7] whereby a rotating mass drags the surrounding spacetime with it.[8]

References

1. PSR J1141-6545 -- Pulsar, Sinbad dataset.
2. Antoniadis, J.; Bassa, C. G.; Wex, N.; Kramer, M.; Napiwotzki, R. (2011). "A white dwarf companion to the relativistic pulsar PSR J1141-6545". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 412 (1): 580–584. arXiv:1011.0926. Bibcode:2011MNRAS.412..580A. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2010.17929.x. S2CID 12323803.
3. Davies, Melvyn B.; Ritter, Hans; King, Andrew (September 2002). "Formation of the binary pulsars J1141–6545 and B2303+46". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 335 (2): 369–376. arXiv:astro-ph/0204511. Bibcode:2002MNRAS.335..369D. doi:10.1046/j.1365-8711.2002.05594.x. S2CID 3145256.
4. PSR J1141-6545, COSMOS - The SAO Encyclopedia of Astronomy.
5. Billings, Lee (30 January 2020). "Bizarre Cosmic Dance Offers Fresh Test for General Relativity". Scientific American. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
6. Leah Crane, Two stars with an odd wobble are stretching space and time around them, New Scientist.com
7. Krishnan, V. Venkatraman; Bailes, M.; van Straten, W.; Wex, N.; Freire, P. C. C.; Keane, E. F.; Tauris, T. M.; Rosado, P. A.; Bhat, N. D. R.; Flynn, C.; Jameson, A.; Osłowski, S. (30 January 2020). "Lense–Thirring frame dragging induced by a fast-rotating white dwarf in a binary pulsar system". Science. 367 (6477): 577–580. arXiv:2001.11405. doi:10.1126/science.aax7007. PMID 32001656. S2CID 210966295.
8. Choi, Charles Q. (30 January 2020). "Space-time is swirling around a dead star, proving Einstein right again". Space.com. Retrieved 6 February 2020.