2008ApJ...679..675V

Analysis of 10 years of high-precision timing data on the millisecond pulsar PSR J0437-4715 has resulted in a model-independent kinematic distance based on an apparent orbital period derivative, P_b{dot}, determined at the 1.5% level of precision (D_k=157.0±2.4 pc), making it one of the most accurate stellar distance estimates published to date. The discrepancy between this measurement and a previously published parallax distance estimate is attributed to errors in the DE200 solar system ephemerides. The precise measurement of P_b{dot} allows a limit on the variation of Newton's gravitational constant, |G{dot}/G|≤23x10^–12/yr. We also constrain any anomalous acceleration along the line of sight to the pulsar to|a_☉/c|≤1.5x10^–18/s at 95% confidence, and derive a pulsar mass, m_psr=1.76±0.20 M_☉, one of the highest estimates so far obtained.