Binary systems as test-beds of gravity theories / Thibault Damour -- Exploiting binary pulsars as laboratories of gravity theories / Michael Kramer -- Perspective in the search for relativistic pulsars / Nichi D'Amico and Marta Burgay -- The formation and evolution of relativistic binaries / E.P.J. van den Heuvel -- Dynamical formation and evolution of neutron star and black hole binaries in globular clusters / Monica Colpi and Bernadetta Devecchi -- Short gamma ray bursts: marking the birth of black holes from coalescing compact binaries / Davide Lazzati and Rosalba Perna -- Strong gravitational field diagnostics in binary systems containing a compact object / L. Stella -- White dwarfs in ultrashort binary systems / Gian Luca Israel and Simone Dall'Osso -- Binary black hole coalescence / Frans Pretorius
Summary
Presents a review of the astrophysical approach to the investigation of gravity theories. This book focuses on strong-field tests of general relativity and alternative theories of gravity, performed using collapsed objects (neutron stars, black holes and white dwarfs) in relativistic binaries as laboratories