Thursday, January 9, 2014

New Triple System

Summary: Astronomers have discovered a new triple system consisting of a millisecond pulsar in close orbit with a white dwarf. This pair is then in orbit around another white dwarf. The reason this is important is because it allows astronomers to test different theories of gravity. This particular system will be excellent for looking for violations in the equivalence principle as put forth by Einstein (the effect of gravity is independent of the nature or internal structure of the body). This is the principle we see when two balls of different weights take the same amount of time to hit the floor when dropped from the same height.
Because of the precision of the pulsar, astronomers will be able to have more accurate results than ever before.


BBC News

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