Pulsars may help verify Einstein's relativity theory

Albert Einstein's theory of relativity could be verified if a pulsar were to be paired up with another neutron star or white dwarf that interferes with their gravity, say a team of researchers, including an Indian physicist.

Pulsars are very dense neutron stars or stellar remnants that emit gamma radiation beams (X-rays) when they rotate up to hundred times per second.

These characteristics make them ideal for testing the validity of the theory of relativity.

"Pulsars act as very precise time keepers such that any deviation in their pulses can be detected," said Spanish researcher Diego F. Torres from the Institute of Space Sciences (IEEC-CSIC). Torres conducted the study with Manjari Bagchi from the International Centre of Theoretical Sciences in Bangalore.

These deviations can occur if there is a massive object close to the pulsar, such as another neutron star or a white dwarf.

A white dwarf is the stellar remnant left when stars such as our Sun use up all of their nuclear fuel.

The study appeared in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics.