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Spin precession in the relativistic two-body problem

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Abstract

Synge's approximation procedure is applied to calculate the spin precession of either body in a binary system consisting of two rotating, spherical, rigid bodies of comparable mass and radius. The calculations are valid for the case in which the mass-radius ratio of each body, as well as the ratio of the radius of either body to the distance between their centers, is small. The results agree with those of earlier authors, who use different techniques, except for a term that arises from the effect of the rotation on the stress within the bodies. This term is similar in form to the quadrupole term of Barker and O'Connell, which they obtain when they allow the bodies to become distorted under the influence of the rotation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mathematical Physics, University College, Belfield, Dublin 4

    J. D. McCrea

  2. School of Theoretical Physics, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 10 Burlington Road, Dublin 4

    G. O'Brien

Authors
  1. J. D. McCrea
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  2. G. O'Brien
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McCrea, J.D., O'Brien, G. Spin precession in the relativistic two-body problem. Gen Relat Gravit 9, 1101–1118 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00756577

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