Observational constraints on the completeness of space near astrophysical objects

Timothy Clifton and John D. Barrow
Phys. Rev. D 81, 063006 – Published 16 March 2010

Abstract

We consider the observational effects of a deficit angle, w, in the topology of the solar system and in the “double pulsar” system PSR J0737-3039A/B. Using observations of the perihelion precession of Mercury, and the gravitational deflection of light due to the Sun, we constrain the magnitude of such a deficit angle in the solar system to be 2π(1w), with 0(1w)<109 at 95% confidence. We calculate the effects of a deficit angle on the periastron advance, geodetic precession rate and inclination angle of the double pulsar system and use the observational data to obtain the constraint 0(1w)<2.4×108 at 95% confidence. Although this result is weaker than the solar system bound, it is in a very different physical environment, where accumulating data is likely to lead to tighter constraints in the future.

  • Received 25 January 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.81.063006

©2010 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Timothy Clifton1,* and John D. Barrow2,†

  • 1Department of Astrophysics, University of Oxford, Keble Road, Oxford, OX1 3RH, United Kingdom
  • 2DAMTP, University of Cambridge, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge, CB3 0WA, United Kingdom

  • *tclifton@astro.ox.ac.uk
  • j.d.barrow@damtp.cam.ac.uk

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Issue

Vol. 81, Iss. 6 — 15 March 2010

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