The Parkes Pulsar Timing Array Project

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Abstract

A `pulsar timing array' (PTA), in which observations of a large sampleof pulsars spread across the celestial sphere are combined, allowsinvestigation of `global' phenomena such as a background ofgravitational waves or instabilities in atomic timescales that producecorrelated timing residuals in the pulsars of the array. The ParkesPulsar Timing Array (PPTA) is an implementation of the PTA concept basedon observations with the Parkes 64-m radio telescope. A sample of 20 mspulsars is being observed at three radio-frequency bands, 50 cm (\ {}700MHz), 20 cm (\ {}1400 MHz), and 10 cm (\ {}3100 MHz), with observations atintervals of two to three weeks. Regular observations commenced in early2005. This paper describes the systems used for the PPTA observationsand data processing, including calibration and timing analysis. Thestrategy behind the choice of pulsars, observing parameters, andanalysis methods is discussed. Results are presented for PPTA data inthe three bands taken between 2005 March and 2011 March. For 10 of the20 pulsars, rms timing residuals are less than 1 {$\mu$}s for the best bandafter fitting for pulse frequency and its first time derivative.Significant `red' timing noise is detected in about half of the sample.We discuss the implications of these results on future projectsincluding the International Pulsar Timing Array and a PTA based on theSquare Kilometre Array. We also present an `extended PPTA' data set thatcombines PPTA data with earlier Parkes timing data for these pulsars.

Keyword(s)

gravitational waves; instrumentation: miscellaneous; methods: observational; pulsars: general

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