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

M. J. Valtonen (), H. J. Lehto, K. Nilsson, J. Heidt, L. O. Takalo, A. Sillanpää, C. Villforth, M. Kidger, G. Poyner, T. Pursimo, S. Zola, J.-H. Wu, X. Zhou, K. Sadakane, M. Drozdz, D. Koziel, D. Marchev, W. Ogloza, C. Porowski, M. Siwak, G. Stachowski, M. Winiarski, V.-P. Hentunen, M. Nissinen, A. Liakos and S. Dogru
Additional contact information
M. J. Valtonen: University of Turku, Vaisäläntie 20, FI-21500 Piikkiö, Finland
H. J. Lehto: University of Turku, Vaisäläntie 20, FI-21500 Piikkiö, Finland
K. Nilsson: University of Turku, Vaisäläntie 20, FI-21500 Piikkiö, Finland
J. Heidt: Landessternwarte Heidelberg, Königstuhl, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
L. O. Takalo: University of Turku, Vaisäläntie 20, FI-21500 Piikkiö, Finland
A. Sillanpää: University of Turku, Vaisäläntie 20, FI-21500 Piikkiö, Finland
C. Villforth: University of Turku, Vaisäläntie 20, FI-21500 Piikkiö, Finland
M. Kidger: Herschel Science Centre, European Space Astronomy Centre, European Space Agency, Villafrance del Castillo Satellite Tracking Station, PO Box 78, 28691 Villanueva de la Canada, Madrid, Spain, and INSA, Paseo del Pintor Rosales 34, 28008 Madrid, Spain
G. Poyner: British Astronomical Association Variable Star Section, 67 Ellerton Road, Kingstanding, Birmingham B44 0QE, UK
T. Pursimo: Nordic Optical Telescope, Apartado 474, E-38700 S/C de La Palma, Spain
S. Zola: Astronomical Observatory of the Jagiellonian University, u1. Orla 171, 30-224 Cracow, Poland
J.-H. Wu: National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 20A Datun Road, Beijing 100012, China
X. Zhou: National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 20A Datun Road, Beijing 100012, China
K. Sadakane: Astronomical Institute, Osaka-Kyoiku University, Asahigaoka, Kashiwara, Osaka 582-8582, Japan
M. Drozdz: Mt. Suhora Observatory, Pedagogical University, ul. Podchorazych 2, 30-084 Cracow, Poland
D. Koziel: Astronomical Observatory of the Jagiellonian University, u1. Orla 171, 30-224 Cracow, Poland
D. Marchev: Shoumen University
W. Ogloza: Mt. Suhora Observatory, Pedagogical University, ul. Podchorazych 2, 30-084 Cracow, Poland
C. Porowski: Astronomical Observatory of the Jagiellonian University, u1. Orla 171, 30-224 Cracow, Poland
M. Siwak: Astronomical Observatory of the Jagiellonian University, u1. Orla 171, 30-224 Cracow, Poland
G. Stachowski: Mt. Suhora Observatory, Pedagogical University, ul. Podchorazych 2, 30-084 Cracow, Poland
M. Winiarski: Astronomical Observatory of the Jagiellonian University, u1. Orla 171, 30-224 Cracow, Poland
V.-P. Hentunen: Warkauden Kassiopeia ry, Härkämäentie 88, 79480 Kangaslampi, Finland
M. Nissinen: Warkauden Kassiopeia ry, Härkämäentie 88, 79480 Kangaslampi, Finland
A. Liakos: Astronomy and Mechanics, Faculty of Physics, University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, GR-15784 Zografos, Athens, Greece
S. Dogru: Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Faculty of Physics, TR-17020 Canakkale, Turkey

Nature, 2008, vol. 452, issue 7189, 851-853

Abstract: General relativity spot on Black holes are firmly established in astronomy and in the public imagination. Yet the concept still depends on the assumption that Einstein's general theory of relativity is the correct theory of gravitation. Tests of general relativity in a strong gravitational field are best conducted in systems containing black holes. Valtonen et al. report such a test in a close binary system of two proposed black holes in the quasar OJ 287. This quasar shows quasiperiodic optical outbursts at 12-year intervals, with two outburst peaks per interval. The latest outburst in September 2007 was within a day of the time predicted by the binary black hole model and general relativity.

Date: 2008
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DOI: 10.1038/nature06896

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