http://arxiv.org/abs/1405.2460
We introduce a method for performing a robust Bayesian analysis of non-Gaussianity present in pulsar timing data, simultaneously with the pulsar timing model, and additional stochastic parameters such as those describing the red noise and dispersion measure variations. The parameters used to define the presence of non-Gaussianity are zero for Gaussian processes, giving a simple method of defining the strength of non-Gaussian behaviour. We use simulations to show that assuming Gaussian statistics when the noise in the data is drawn from a non-Gaussian distribution can significantly increase the uncertainties associated with the pulsar timing model parameters. The methods presented are therefore of immediate practical use for current European Pulsar Timing Array (EPTA) and International Pulsar Timing Array (IPTA) datasets, allowing for potentially significant improvement in the precision of the analysis performed.
L. Lentati, M. Hobson and P. Alexander
Tue, 13 May 14
52/58
Comments: 11 pages, 5 Figures
You must be logged in to post a comment.