= Pulsar timing residual
{title2=$r_n=t_n^{\rm arr}-t_n^{\rm model}$}
The difference between an observed arrival time and its model prediction. Positive <pulsar timing residuals> mean late arrivals in this convention. A periodic residual can expose an omitted <orbit>; a smooth long-term residual can also come from a wrong spin model or clock correction. Fitting and checking alternative causes are part of the inference, rather than interpreting every residual as <gravitational radiation>.
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