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A. Possenti

Publications and source records attributed to A. Possenti.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Modelling annual scintillation arc variations in PSR J1643-1224 using the Large European Array for Pulsars

In this work we study variations in the parabolic scintillation arcs of the binary millisecond pulsar PSR J1643-1224 over five years using the Large European Array for Pulsars (LEAP). The 2D power spectrum of scintillation, called the secondary spectrum, often shows a parabolic distribution of power, where the arc curvature encodes the relative velocities and distances of the pulsar, ionised interstellar medium (IISM), and Earth. We observe a clear parabolic scintillation arc which varies in curvature throughout the year. The distribution of power in the secondary spectra are inconsistent with a single scattering screen which is fully 1D, or entirely isotropic. We fit the observed arc curvature variations with two models; an isotropic scattering screen, and a model with two independent 1D screens. We measure the distance to the scattering screen to be in the range 114-223 pc, depending on the model, consistent with the known distance of the foreground large-diameter HII region Sh 2-27 (112+/-17 pc), suggesting that it is the dominant source of scattering. We obtain only weak constraints on the pulsar's orbital inclination and angle of periastron, since the scintillation pattern is not very sensitive to the pulsar's motion, since the screen is much closer to the Earth than the pulsar. More measurements of this kind - where scattering screens can be associated with foreground objects - will help to inform the origins and distribution of scattering screens within our galaxy.

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Strong-field Gravity Tests with the Double Pulsar

Continued observations of the Double Pulsar, PSR J0737-3039A/B, consisting of two radio pulsars (A and B) that orbit each other with a period of 2.45hr in a mildly eccentric (e=0.088) binary system, have led to large improvements in the measurement of relativistic effects in this system. With a 16-yr data span, the results enable precision tests of theories of gravity for strongly self-gravitating bodies and also reveal new relativistic effects that have been expected but are now observed for the first time. These include effects of light propagation in strong gravitational fields which are currently not testable by any other method. We observe retardation and aberrational light-bending that allow determination of the pulsar's spin direction. In total, we have detected seven post-Keplerian (PK) parameters, more than for any other binary pulsar. For some of these effects, the measurement precision is so high that for the first time we have to take higher-order contributions into account. These include contributions of A's effective mass loss (due to spin-down) to the observed orbital period decay, a relativistic deformation of the orbit, and effects of the equation of state of super-dense matter on the observed PK parameters via relativistic spin-orbit coupling. We discuss the implications of our findings, including those for the moment of inertia of neutron stars. We present the currently most precise test of general relativity's (GR's) quadrupolar description of gravitational waves, validating GR's prediction at a level of $1.3 \times 10^{-4}$ (95% conf.). We demonstrate the utility of the Double Pulsar for tests of alternative theories by focusing on two specific examples and discuss some implications for studies of the interstellar medium and models for the formation of the Double Pulsar. Finally, we provide context to other types of related experiments and prospects for the future.

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The Fast Radio Burst FRB 20201124A in a star forming region: constraints to the progenitor and multiwavelength counterparts

We present the results of a multiwavelength campaign of FRB 20201124A, the third closest repeating fast radio burst recently localized in a nearby (z=0.0978) galaxy. Deep VLA observations led to the detection of quiescent radio emission, also marginally visible in X-rays with Chandra. Imaging at 22 GHz allowed us to resolve the source on a scale of $\gtrsim$ 1 arcsec and locate it at the position of the FRB, within an error of 0.2 arcsec. EVN and e-MERLIN observations sampled small angular scales, from 2 to 100 mas, providing tight upper limits on the presence of a compact source and evidence for diffuse radio emission. We argue that this emission is associated with enhanced star formation activity in the proximity of the FRB, corresponding to a star formation rate of $\approx 10\ {\rm M}_\odot {\rm yr}^{-1}$. The surface star formation rate at the location of FRB 20201124A is two orders of magnitude larger than typically observed in other precisely localized FRBs. Such a high SFR is indicative of this FRB source being a new-born magnetar produced from a SN explosion of a massive star progenitor. Upper limits to the X-ray counterparts of 49 radio bursts observed in our simultaneous FAST, SRT and Chandra campaign are consistent with a magnetar scenario.

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Noise analysis in the European Pulsar Timing Array data release 2 and its implications on the gravitational-wave background search

The European Pulsar Timing Array (EPTA) collaboration has recently released an extended data set for six pulsars (DR2) and reported evidence for a common red noise signal. Here we present a noise analysis for each of the six pulsars. We consider several types of noise: (i) radio frequency independent, "achromatic", and time-correlated red noise; (ii) variations of dispersion measure and scattering; (iii) system and band noise; and (iv) deterministic signals (other than gravitational waves) that could be present in the PTA data. We perform Bayesian model selection to find the optimal combination of noise components for each pulsar. Using these custom models we revisit the presence of the common uncorrelated red noise signal previously reported in the EPTA DR2 and show that the data still supports it with a high statistical significance. Next, we confirm that there is no preference for or against the Hellings-Downs spatial correlations expected for the stochastic gravitational-wave background. The main conclusion of the EPTA DR2 paper remains unchanged despite a very significant change in the noise model of each pulsar. However, modelling the noise is essential for the robust detection of gravitational waves and its impact could be significant when analysing the next EPTA data release, which will include a larger number of pulsars and more precise measurements.

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Milliarcsecond localisation of the repeating FRB 20201124A

Very long baseline interferometric (VLBI) localisations of repeating fast radio bursts (FRBs) have demonstrated a diversity of local environments: from nearby star-forming regions to globular clusters. Here we report the VLBI localisation of FRB 20201124A using an ad-hoc array of dishes that also participate in the European VLBI Network (EVN). In our campaign, we detected 18 total bursts from FRB 20201124A at two separate epochs. By combining the visibilities from both observing epochs, we were able to localise FRB 20201124A with a 1-$σ$ error of 4.5 milliarcseconds (mas). We use the relatively large burst sample to investigate astrometric accuracy, and find that for $\gtrsim20$ baselines ($\gtrsim7$ dishes) that we can robustly reach milliarcsecond precision even using single-burst data sets. Sub-arcsecond precision is still possible for single bursts, even when only $\sim$ six baselines (four dishes) are available. We explore two methods for determining the individual burst positions: the peaks of the dirty maps and a Gaussian fit to the cross fringe pattern on the dirty maps. We found the latter to be more reliable due to the lower mean and standard deviation in the offsets from the FRB position. Our VLBI work places FRB 20201124A 705$\pm$26 mas (1-$σ$ errors) from the optical centre of the host galaxy, and consistent with originating from within the recently-discovered extended radio structure associated with star-formation in the host galaxy. Future high-resolution optical observations, e.g. with Hubble Space Telescope, can determine the proximity of our FRB 20201124A VLBI position to nearby knots of star formation.

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Common-red-signal analysis with 24-yr high-precision timing of the European Pulsar Timing Array: Inferences in the stochastic gravitational-wave background search

We present results from the search for a stochastic gravitational-wave background (GWB) as predicted by the theory of General Relativity using six radio millisecond pulsars from the Data Release 2 (DR2) of the European Pulsar Timing Array (EPTA) covering a timespan up to 24 years. A GWB manifests itself as a long-term low-frequency stochastic signal common to all pulsars, a common red signal (CRS), with the characteristic Hellings-Downs (HD) spatial correlation. Our analysis is performed with two independent pipelines, \eprise{} and \tn{}+\ftwo{}, which produce consistent results. A search for a CRS with simultaneous estimation of its spatial correlations yields spectral properties compatible with theoretical GWB predictions, but does not result in the required measurement of the HD correlation, as required for GWB detection. Further Bayesian model comparison between different types of CRSs, including a GWB, finds the most favoured model to be the common uncorrelated red noise described by a power-law with $A = 5.13_{-2.73}^{+4.20} \times 10^{-15}$ and $γ= 3.78_{-0.59}^{+0.69}$ (95\% credible regions). Fixing the spectral index to $γ=13/3$ as expected from the GWB by circular, inspiralling supermassive black-hole binaries results in an amplitude of $A =2.95_{-0.72}^{+0.89} \times 10^{-15}$. We implement three different models, BAYESEPHEM, LINIMOSS and EPHEMGP, to address possible Solar-system ephemeris (SSE) systematics and conclude that our results may only marginally depend on these effects. This work builds on the methods and models from the studies on the EPTA DR1. We show that under the same analysis framework the results remain consistent after the data set extension.

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A repeating fast radio burst source in a globular cluster

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are exceptionally luminous flashes of unknown physical origin, reaching us from other galaxies (Petroff et al. 2019). Most FRBs have only ever been seen once, while others flash repeatedly, though sporadically (Spitler et al. 2016, CHIME/FRB Collaboration et al. 2021). Many models invoke magnetically powered neutron stars (magnetars) as the engines producing FRB emission (Margalit & Metzger 2018, CHIME/FRB Collaboration et al. 2020). Recently, CHIME/FRB announced the discovery (Bhardwaj et al. 2021) of the repeating FRB 20200120E, coming from the direction of the nearby grand design spiral galaxy M81. Four potential counterparts at other observing wavelengths were identified (Bhardwaj et al. 2021) but no definitive association with these sources, or M81, could be made. Here we report an extremely precise localisation of FRB 20200120E, which allows us to associate it with a globular cluster (GC) in the M81 galactic system and to place it ~2pc offset from the optical center of light of the GC. This confirms (Bhardwaj et al. 2021) that FRB 20200120E is 40 times closer than any other known extragalactic FRB. Because such GCs host old stellar populations, this association strongly challenges FRB models that invoke young magnetars formed in a core-collapse supernova as powering FRB emission. We propose, instead, that FRB 20200120E is a highly magnetised neutron star formed via either accretion-induced collapse of a white dwarf or via merger of compact stars in a binary system (Margalit et al. 2019). Alternative scenarios involving compact binary systems, efficiently formed inside globular clusters, could also be responsible for the observed bursts.

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Timing observations of three Galactic millisecond pulsars

We report observed and derived timing parameters for three millisecond pulsars (MSPs) from observations collected with the Parkes 64-m telescope, Murriyang. The pulsars were found during re-processing of archival survey data by Mickaliger et al. One of the new pulsars (PSR J1546-5925) has a spin period $P=7.8$ ms and is isolated. The other two (PSR J0921-5202 with $P=9.7$ ms and PSR J1146-6610 with $P=3.7$ ms) are in binary systems around low-mass ($>0.2 M_{\odot}$) companions. Their respective orbital periods are $38$.2 d and $62.8$ d. While PSR J0921-5202 has a low orbital eccentricity $e=1.3 \times 10^{-5}$, in keeping with many other Galactic MSPs, PSR J1146-6610 has a significantly larger eccentricity, $e = 7.4 \times 10^{-3}$. This makes it a likely member of a group of eccentric MSP-He white dwarf binary systems in the Galactic disk whose formation is poorly understood. Two of the pulsars are co-located with previously unidentified point sources discovered with the Fermi satellite's Large Area Telescope, but no $γ$-ray pulsations have been detected, likely due to their low spin-down powers. We also show that, particularly in terms of orbital diversity, the current sample of MSPs is far from complete and is subject to a number of selection biases.

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An analysis of the time-frequency structure of several bursts from FRB121102 detected with MeerKAT

We present a detailed study of the complex time-frequency structure of a sample of previously reported bursts of FRB 121102 detected with the MeerKAT telescope in September 2019. The wide contiguous bandwidth of these observations have revealed a complex bifurcating structure in some bursts at $1250$ MHz. When de-dispersed to their structure-optimised dispersion measures, two of the bursts show a clear deviation from the cold plasma dispersion relationship below $1250$ MHz. We find a differential dispersion measure of ${\sim}1{-}2$ pc cm$^{-3}$ between the lower and higher frequency regions of each burst. We investigate the possibility of plasma lensing by Gaussian lenses of ${\sim}10$ AU in the host galaxy, and demonstrate that they can qualitatively produce some of the observed burst morphologies. Other possible causes for the observed frequency dependence, such as Faraday delay, are also discussed. Unresolved sub-components in the bursts, however, may have led to an incorrect DM determination. We hence advise exercising caution when considering bursts in isolation. We analyse the presence of two apparent burst pairs. One of these pairs is a potential example of upward frequency drift. The possibility that burst pairs are echoes is also discussed. The average structure-optimised dispersion measure is found to be $563.5\pm 0.2 (\text{sys}) \pm 0.8 (\text{stat})$ pc cm$^{-3}$ $-$ consistent with the values reported in 2018. We use two independent methods to determine the structure-optimised dispersion measure of the bursts: the DM_phase algorithm and autocorrelation functions. The latter $-$ originally developed for pulsar analysis $-$ is applied to FRBs for the first time in this paper.

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The Relativistic Binary Programme on MeerKAT: Science objectives and first results

We describe the ongoing Relativistic Binary programme (RelBin), a part of the MeerTime large survey project with the MeerKAT radio telescope. RelBin is primarily focused on observations of relativistic effects in binary pulsars to enable measurements of neutron star masses and tests of theories of gravity. We selected 25 pulsars as an initial high priority list of targets based on their characteristics and observational history with other telescopes. In this paper, we provide an outline of the programme, present polarisation calibrated pulse profiles for all selected pulsars as a reference catalogue along with updated dispersion measures. We report Faraday rotation measures for 24 pulsars, twelve of which have been measured for the first time. More than a third of our selected pulsars show a flat position angle swing confirming earlier observations. We demonstrate the ability of the Rotating Vector Model (RVM), fitted here to seven binary pulsars, including the Double Pulsar (PSR J0737$-$3039A), to obtain information about the orbital inclination angle. We present a high time resolution light curve of the eclipse of PSR J0737$-$3039A by the companion's magnetosphere, a high-phase resolution position angle swing for PSR J1141$-$6545, an improved detection of the Shapiro delay of PSR J1811$-$2405, and pulse scattering measurements for PSRs J1227$-$6208, J1757$-$1854, and J1811$-$1736. Finally, we demonstrate that timing observations with MeerKAT improve on existing data sets by a factor of, typically, 2-3, sometimes by an order of magnitude.

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The X-ray evolution and geometry of the 2018 outburst of XTE J1810-197

After 15 years, in late 2018, the magnetar XTE J1810-197 underwent a second recorded X-ray outburst event and reactivated as a radio pulsar. We initiated an X-ray monitoring campaign to follow the timing and spectral evolution of the magnetar as its flux decays using Swift, XMM-Newton, NuSTAR, and NICER observations. During the year-long campaign, the magnetar reproduced similar behaviour to that found for the first outburst, with a factor of two change in its spin-down rate from $\sim7.2\times10^{-12}$ s s$^{-1}$ to $\sim1.5\times10^{-11}$ s s$^{-1}$ after two months. Unique to this outburst, we confirm the peculiar energy-dependent phase shift of the pulse profile. Following the initial outburst, the spectrum of XTE J1810-197 is well-modelled by multiple blackbody components corresponding to a pair of non-concentric, hot thermal caps surrounded by a cooler one, superposed to the colder star surface. We model the energy-dependent pulse profile to constrain the viewing and surface emission geometry and find that the overall geometry of XTE J1810-197 has likely evolved relative to that found for the 2003 event.

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Evidence of intra-binary shock emission from the redback pulsar PSR J1048+2339

We present simultaneous multiwavelength observations of the 4.66 ms redback pulsar PSR J1048+2339. We performed phase-resolved spectroscopy with the Very Large Telescope (VLT) searching for signatures of a residual accretion disk or intra-binary shock emission, constraining the companion radial velocity semi-amplitude ($K_2$), and estimating the neutron star mass ($M_{\rm NS}$). Using the FORS2-VLT intermediate-resolution spectra, we measured a companion velocity of $291 < K_2 < 348$ km s$^{-1}$ and a binary mass ratio of $0.209 < q < 0.250$. Combining our results for $K_2$ and $q$, we constrained the mass of the neutron star and the companion to $(1.0 < M_{\rm NS} < 1.6){\rm sin}^{-3}i\,M_{\odot}$ and $(0.24 < M_2 < 0.33){\rm sin}^{-3}i\,M_{\odot}$, respectively, where $i$ is the system inclination. The Doppler map of the H$α$ emission line exhibits a spot feature at the expected position of the companion star and an extended bright spot close to the inner Lagrangian point. We interpret this extended emission as the effect of an intra-binary shock originating from the interaction between the pulsar relativistic wind and the matter leaving the companion star. The mass loss from the secondary star could be either due to Roche-lobe overflow or to the ablation of its outer layer by the energetic pulsar wind. Contrastingly, we find no evidence for an accretion disk. We report on the results of the SRT and the LOFAR simultaneous radio observations at three different frequencies (150 MHz, 336 MHz, and 1400 MHz). No pulsed radio signal is found in our search. This is probably due to both scintillation and the presence of material expelled from the system which can cause the absorption of the radio signal at low frequencies. Finally, we report on an attempt to search for optical pulsations using IFI+Iqueye mounted at the 1.2 m Galileo telescope at the Asiago Observatory.

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Multi-frequency observations of SGR J1935+2154

Magnetars are a promising candidate for the origin of Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs). The detection of an extremely luminous radio burst from the Galactic magnetar SGR J1935+2154 on 2020 April 28 added credence to this hypothesis. We report on simultaneous and non-simultaneous observing campaigns using the Arecibo, Effelsberg, LOFAR, MeerKAT, MK2 and Northern Cross radio telescopes and the MeerLICHT optical telescope in the days and months after the April 28 event. We did not detect any significant single radio pulses down to fluence limits between 25 mJy ms and 18 Jy ms. Some observing epochs overlapped with times when X-ray bursts were detected. Radio images made on four days using the MeerKAT telescope revealed no point-like persistent or transient emission at the location of the magnetar. No transient or persistent optical emission was detected over seven days. Using the multi-colour MeerLICHT images combined with relations between DM, NH and reddening we constrain the distance to SGR J1935+2154, to be between 1.5 and 6.5 kpc. The upper limit is consistent with some other distance indicators and suggests that the April 28 burst is closer to two orders of magnitude less energetic than the least energetic FRBs. The lack of single-pulse radio detections shows that the single pulses detected over a range of fluences are either rare, or highly clustered, or both. It may also indicate that the magnetar lies somewhere between being radio-quiet and radio-loud in terms of its ability to produce radio emission efficiently.

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Eight new millisecond pulsars from the first MeerKAT globular cluster census

We have used the central 44 antennas of the new 64-dish MeerKAT radio telescope array to conduct a deep search for new pulsars in the core of nine globular clusters. This has led to the discovery of eight new millisecond pulsars in six different clusters. Two new binaries, 47 Tuc ac and 47 Tuc ad, are eclipsing "spiders", featuring compact orbits ($\lesssim 0.32$ days), very low-mass companions and regular occultations of their pulsed emission. The other three new binary pulsars (NGC 6624G, M62G, and Ter 5 an) are in wider ($> 0.7$ days) orbits, with companions that are likely to be white dwarfs or neutron stars. NGC 6624G has a large eccentricity of $e\simeq 0.38$, which enabled us to detect the rate of advance of periastron. This suggests that the system is massive, with a total mass of $M{\rm tot} = 2.65 \pm 0.07$ M$_{\odot}$. Likewise, for Ter 5 an, with $e \simeq 0.0066$, we obtain $M{\rm tot}= 2.97 \pm 0.52$ M$_{\odot}$. The other three new discoveries (NGC 6522D, NGC 6624H and NGC 6752F) are faint isolated pulsars. Finally, we have used the whole MeerKAT array and synthesized 288 beams, covering an area of $\sim2$ arcmin in radius around the center of NGC 6624. This has allowed us to localize many of the pulsars in the cluster, demonstrating the beamforming capabilities of the TRAPUM software backend and paving the way for the upcoming MeerKAT globular cluster pulsar survey.

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The new magnetar SGR J1830-0645 in outburst

The detection of a short hard X-ray burst and an associated bright soft X-ray source by the Swift satellite in 2020 October heralded a new magnetar in outburst, SGR J1830-0645. Pulsations at a period of ~10.4 s were detected in prompt follow-up X-ray observations. We present here the analysis of the Swift/BAT burst, of XMM-Newton and the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array observations performed at the outburst peak, and of a Swift/XRT monitoring campaign over the subsequent month. The burst was single-peaked, lasted ~6 ms, and released a fluence of ~5e-9 erg cm^-2 (15-50 keV). The spectrum of the X-ray source at the outburst peak was well described by an absorbed double-blackbody model plus a power-law component detectable up to ~25 keV. The unabsorbed X-ray flux decreased from ~5e-11 to ~2.5e-11 erg cm^-2 s^-1 one month later (0.3-10 keV). Based on our timing analysis, we estimate a dipolar magnetic field ~5.5e14 G at pole, a spin-down luminosity ~2.4e32 erg s^-1, and a characteristic age ~24 kyr. The spin modulation pattern appears highly pulsed in the soft X-ray band, and becomes smoother at higher energies. Several short X-ray bursts were detected during our campaign. No evidence for periodic or single-pulse emission was found at radio frequencies in observations performed with the Sardinia Radio Telescope and Parkes. According to magneto-thermal evolutionary models, the real age of SGR J1830-0645 is close to the characteristic age, and the dipolar magnetic field at birth was slightly larger, ~1e15 G.

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X-ray and Radio Bursts from the Magnetar 1E1547.0-5408

We report on simultaneous radio and X-ray observations of the radio-emitting magnetar 1E1547.0-5408 on 2009 January 25 and February 3, with the 64-m Parkes radio telescope and the Chandra and XMM-Newton X-ray observatories. The magnetar was observed in a period of intense X-ray bursting activity and enhanced X-ray emission. We report here on the detection of two radio bursts from 1E1547.0-5408, reminiscent of Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs). One of the radio bursts was anticipated by ~1s (about half a rotation period of the pulsar) by a bright SGR-like X-ray burst, resulting in a F_radio/F_X ~ 10^-9. Radio pulsations were not detected during the observation showing the FRB-like radio bursts, while they were detected in the previous radio observation. We also found that the two radio bursts are neither aligned with the latter radio pulsations nor with the peak of the X-ray pulse profile (phase shift of ~0.2). Comparing the luminosity of these FRB-like bursts and those reported from SGR1935+2154, we find that the wide range in radio efficiency and/or luminosity of magnetar bursts in the Galaxy may bridge the gap between "ordinary" pulsar radio bursts and the extragalactic FRB phenomenon.

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Understanding and improving the timing of PSR J0737-3039B

The double pulsar (PSR J0737-3039A/B) provides some of the most stringent tests of general relativity (GR) and its alternatives. The success of this system in tests of GR is largely due to the high-precision, long-term timing of its recycled-pulsar member, pulsar A. On the other hand, pulsar B is a young pulsar that exhibits significant short-term and long-term timing variations due to the electromagnetic-wind interaction with its companion and geodetic precession. Improving pulsar B's timing precision is a key step towards improving the precision in a number of GR tests with PSR J0737-3039A/B. In this paper, red noise signatures in the timing of pulsar B are investigated using roughly a four-year time span, from 2004 to 2008, beyond which time the pulsar's radio beam precessed out of view ... The timing of pulsar B presented in this paper depends on the size of the pulsar's orbit, which was calculated from GR, in order to precisely account for orbital timing delays. Consequently, our timing cannot directly be used to test theories of gravity. However, our modelling of the beam shape and radial wind of pulsar B can indirectly aid future efforts to time this pulsar by constraining part of the additional red noise observed on top of the orbital delays. As such, we conclude that, in the idealised case of zero covariance between our model's parameters and those of the timing model, our model can bring about a factor 2.6 improvement on the measurement precision of the mass ratio, R = mA/mB, between the two pulsars: a theory-independent parameter, which is pivotal in tests of GR.

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Radio pulsations from the $γ$-ray millisecond pulsar PSR J2039-5617

The predicted nature of the candidate redback pulsar 3FGL\,J2039.6$-$5618 was recently confirmed by the discovery of $γ$-ray millisecond pulsations (Clark et al. 2020, hereafter Paper\,I), which identify this $γ$-ray source as \msp. We observed this object with the Parkes radio telescope in 2016 and 2019. We detect radio pulsations at 1.4\,GHz and 3.1\,GHz, at the 2.6ms period discovered in $γ$-rays, and also at 0.7\,GHz in one 2015 archival observation. In all bands, the radio pulse profile is characterised by a single relatively broad peak which leads the main $γ$-ray peak. At 1.4\,GHz we found clear evidence of eclipses of the radio signal for about half of the orbit, a characteristic phenomenon in redback systems, which we associate with the presence of intra-binary gas. From the dispersion measure of $24.57\pm0.03$\,pc\,cm$^{-3}$ we derive a pulsar distance of $0.9\pm 0.2$\,kpc or $1.7\pm0.7$\,kpc, depending on the assumed Galactic electron density model. The modelling of the radio and $γ$-ray light curves leads to an independent determination of the orbital inclination, and to a determination of the pulsar mass, qualitatively consistent to the results in Paper\,I.

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