(PSR B1913+16, PSR J1915+1606, PSR 1913+16, Hulse-Taylor Pulsar)
(binary system consisting of a pulsar and neutron star)
The Hulse-Taylor Binary (PSR B1913+16,
PSR J1915+1606, or PSR 1913+16, aka the Hulse-Taylor Pulsar)
is a binary star system consisting of a pulsar
and another neutron star (NS).
It was the first such NS/pulsar binary identified, in 1974,
and it is well known for the study of its orbital decay
that serves as evidence supporting the theory of general relativity (GR) and gravitational waves.
Over 30 years, its orbital period has shortened on the order
of a millisecond, resulting in a cumulative shift of about 40 seconds
in the timing of its orbit (compared to what would have result from a
steady orbit). The match with the predictions of GR over the 30
years has been very precise.
Pulsar characteristics: