In this section we study several examples of exact solutions to the field equations. Each of these can readily be shown not to be a mere coordinate wave, since in each case the Riemann tensor has nonz...In this section we study several examples of exact solutions to the field equations. Each of these can readily be shown not to be a mere coordinate wave, since in each case the Riemann tensor has nonzero elements.
The Hulse-Taylor system contains two neutron stars orbiting around their common center of mass, and the period of the orbit is observed to be decreasing gradually over time. This is interpreted as ev...The Hulse-Taylor system contains two neutron stars orbiting around their common center of mass, and the period of the orbit is observed to be decreasing gradually over time. This is interpreted as evidence that the stars are losing energy to radiation of gravitational waves. As we’ll see later, the rate of energy loss is in excellent agreement with the predictions of general relativity.
