We present the current estimates of the Galactic merger rate of double-neutron-star ( DNS ) systems .
Using a statistical analysis method , we calculate the probability distribution function ( PDF ) of the rate estimates , which allows us to assign confidence intervals to the rate estimates .
We calculate the Galactic DNS merger rate based on the three known systems B1913+16 , B1534+12 , and J0737-3039 .
The discovery of J0737-3039 increases the estimated DNS merger rate by a factor \sim 6 than what is previously known .
The most likely values of DNS merger rate lie in the range 3 - 190 Myr ^ { -1 } depending on different pulsar models .
Motivated by a strong correlation between the peak rate estimates and a pulsar luminosity function , we calculate a global probability distribution as a single representation of the parameter space covered by different pulsar population models .
We compare the global PDF with the observed supernova Ib/c rate , which sets an upper limit on the DNS merger rate .
Finally , we remark on implications of new discoveries such as of J1756 - 2251 , the 4th DNS in the Galactic disk , and J1906+0746 , a possible DNS system .