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orbital-period-anomaly

An unexpected and significant shortening of the neutron stars' orbital period is detected, far exceeding theoretical predictions and lacking any electromagnetic or neutrino counterpart.

1 chapter across 1 book

Diaspora (1997)Greg Egan

Chapter 6

Karpal, stationed alone at the Bullialdus observatory on the Moon, monitors gravitational waves from a binary neutron star system Lacerta G-1. He discovers an anomalous and drastic decrease in the orbital period of the neutron stars that cannot be explained by known physics or observational errors, suggesting a profound mystery in the system's energy dynamics. Despite extensive checks, no corroborative electromagnetic or neutrino signals accompany the gravitational anomaly, deepening the enigma.