The Leonard E Parker Center for Gravitation, Cosmology and Astrophysics holds frequent seminars on a broad range of ongoing cosmology and gravitation research topics. Unless otherwise noted, seminars are on Friday afternoons at 1:00 PM in KIRC 2175; there is a gathering for a brown bag lunch at 12:30.

Young Scientists Discover a Wide Double Neutron Star System and Pulsars Galore at 350 MHz
Dr. Joe Swiggum, Research Associate, UWM

While analyzing Green Bank Telescope (GBT) 350 MHz Drift Scan survey data in the summer of 2012, two high-school students discovered J1930-1852, a pulsar in a double neutron star (DNS) system. Most DNS systems found previously have short orbital periods, rapid spin periods, and eccentric orbits. However, J1930-1852 has the longest known spin period (185 ms) and orbital period (45 days) yet measured among known, recycled pulsars in DNS systems, implying a shorter than average and/or inefficient recycling period before its companion when supernova. The system’s relativistic advance of periastron implies its total mass is consistent with other DNS systems and puts constraints on the pulsar and companion masses. PSR J1930-1852’s spin and orbital parameters challenge current DNS population models and make the pulsar an important system for further investigation.

The Green Bank North Celestial Cap (GBNCC) survey, also operating at 350 MHz, has been prolific in pulsar discoveries over the past six years, in large part, due to the efforts of undergraduate students here at UWM and institutions across the US and Canada. Many of these discoveries show inherent scientific promise and the young scientists involved gain valuable research experience.