PSR J0737-3039 - Other Binary Systems

Other Binary Systems

A whole range of differing two-body systems can occur, where a pulsar exists. Other than a double pulsar system, these systems also occur:

A pulsar-white dwarf system; Such as the PSR B1620-26 binary star.
A pulsar-neutron star system, such as PSR B1913+16.
pulsar and a normal star; E.g, PSR J0045-7319, a system that is composed of a pulsar and main-sequence B star

A pulsar-black hole binary system is possible, but such a system is yet to be discovered. A Pulsar-black hole system could be an even stronger test of Einstein's theory of General Relativity, due to the immense gravitational forces exerted by both celestial objects. The Square Kilometre Array, a planned Radio Telescope due to be constructed in the southern hemisphere in 2012, will observe binary pulsar systems. It will also search for Pulsar-Black hole systems in order to test General Relativity.

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