A massive binary black-hole system in OJ 287 and a test of general relativity

Valtonen M. J., Lehto H. J., Nilsson K., Heidt J., Takalo L. O., Sillanpaa A., ...More

NATURE, vol.452, no.7189, pp.851-853, 2008 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 452 Issue: 7189
  • Publication Date: 2008
  • Doi Number: 10.1038/nature06896
  • Journal Name: NATURE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.851-853
  • Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Tests of Einstein's general theory of relativity have mostly been carried out in weak gravitational fields where the space- time curvature effects are first- order deviations from Newton's theory(1-6). Binary pulsars(4) provide a means of probing the strong gravitational field around a neutron star, but strong- field effects may be best tested in systems containing black holes(7,8). Here we report such a test in a close binary system of two candidate black holes in the quasar OJ 287. This quasar shows quasi- periodic optical outbursts at 12- year intervals, with two outburst peaks per interval(9,10). The latest outburst occurred in September 2007, within a day of the time predicted by the binary black- hole model and general relativity(11). The observations confirm the binary nature of the system and also provide evidence for the loss of orbital energy in agreement ( within 10 per cent) with the emission of gravitational waves from the system(12). In the absence of gravitational wave emission the outburst would have happened 20 days later(13).