Precision timing of PSR J0437-4715: An accurate pulsar distance, a high pulsar mass, and a limit on the variation of Newton's gravitational constant

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)over dot(b), 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)over dot(b) allows a limit on the variation of Newton's gravitational constant, vertical bar(G)over dot/G vertical bar <= 23 x 10(-12) yr(-1). We also constrain any anomalous acceleration along the line of sight to the pulsar to vertical bar a(circle dot)/c vertical bar <= 1.5 x 10(-18) s(-1) at 95% confidence, and derive a pulsar mass, m(psr) = 1.76 +/- 0.20 M-circle dot, one of the highest estimates so far obtained.