The Double Pulsar System in its 8th anniversary

Abstract

The double pulsar system J0737-3039A/B, discovered with the Parkes radio telescope in 2003, is one of the most intriguing pulsar findings of the last decade. This binary system, with an orbital period of only 2.4-hr and with the simultaneous presence of two radio pulsed signals, provides a truly unique laboratory for relativistic gravity and plasma physics. Moreover its discovery enhances of almost an order of magnitude the estimate of the merger rate of double neutron stars systems, opening new possibilities for the current generation of gravitational wave detectors. In this contribution we summarise the present results and look at the prospects of future observations.Comment: Published electronically in Proceedings "Science with Parkes @ 50 Years Young", 2012, Ed. Robert Braun. Conference link is, http://www.atnf.csiro.au/research/conferences/Parkes50th/ProcPapers/Burgay.pd