Physicists proposed beat patterns in pulsars could reveal origins of Nanohertz gravitational waves

Energetic pulsar in Crab Nebula creates rings, jets and extended X-ray glow. (Image: Chandra X-ray Observatory)

A new study by researchers at Hirosaki University, Japan, suggests that subtle “beat” patterns in pulsar timing could help identify the origins of nanohertz gravitational waves.

Pulsars, which are fast-spinning neutron stars that send out regular radio signals, work like clocks in space. When gravity waves move through space, they change space and time a little.

Who did the study?

A group of physicists in Japan, led by Hideki Asada and Shun Yamamoto from Hirosaki University, came up with a new way to find where these hard-to-catch waves are coming from. Their findings are published in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics.

When and how did they see the signals?

The new method uses info from pulsar timing arrays (PTAs). These arrays keep track of the very regular radio signals that come from pulsars, which are neutron stars that spin really fast.

Gravitational waves passing through space slightly distort spacetime, causing tiny deviations in the timing of these pulses. By analysing these variations over extended periods, the researchers aim to detect unique interference patterns.

What Are Nanohertz Gravitational Waves?

Nanohertz gravitational waves are like really slow ripples in space and time. These ripples take months or even years to complete a single wave. Recently, groups like NANOGrav and European pulsar timing teams found evidence of these waves, which is a big deal for space research.

Scientists think these waves come from super big black holes that are orbiting each other, as well as other things happening way out in space. But exactly where they come from is still a mystery.

How will this Advance Astrophysics?

By figuring out the difference between random background noise and actual sources, this method could really change how researchers can understand nanohertz gravitational waves. It could give a better map of the biggest and most mysterious things in the universe. This research is a big move ahead for detailed space study and the search for hidden super big black holes.