Binary stars are a system of two stars rotating around their center of mass, as opposed to single stellar systems such as our solar system.
Questions tagged [binary-stars]
162 questions
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Might a planet perform figure-8 orbits around two stars?
Might a planet perform figure-8 orbits around two stars?
I'm thinking that if the two stars were equal mass (and not orbiting each other) then a planet that were to go right between them would continue in a straight line, with no preference for…
dotancohen
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Why do gravitational waves circularize a binary?
I understand that a binary orbiting around one another will circularize due to the emission of GWs due to Peters equations and that highly eccentric binaries evolve faster.
But GW emission also removes energy and angular momentum (wouldn’t the…
Warrenmovic
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3 answers
What is the smallest distance possible between two stars?
If two stars of any type were to form near each other, how closely can they form before something prevents them from being two distinct stars?
Alex
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Would there be one rainbow, a double rainbow or bisecting rainbow on a planet with two suns?
I'm just curious if binary stars are low over the horizon and the conditions are just perfect for the formation of rainbow, would I see a single rainbow, double rainbow or two rainbows intersecting each other?
user6760
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How do neutron star binaries form?
Do neutron star binary systems come from previously active-star binaries, where where both stars have gone supernova and left behind neutron stars that are still in orbit? Or do they form when two previously unbound neutron stars approach each other…
WillG
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How do we determine the mass of a black hole?
Since by definition we cannot observe black holes directly, how do astronomers determine the mass of a black hole?
What observational techniques are there that would allow us to determine a black hole's mass?
grassman
16
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3 answers
Time dilation effects at the center of a binary black hole system
Imagine two identical black holes in a circular orbit, and Alice is smack-dab in the middle of the system (at the barycenter). Bob is at infinity.
Let's assume that Alice and Bob are stationary relative to each other. Alice does not experience any…
XYZT
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3 answers
Wouldn't angular momentum of a binary star system decrease?
Consider a binary star system, as these stars go around one another they would emit gravitational waves. Since, the graviton is a spin 2 particle. Wouldn't the angular momentum of the stars decrease? And would this decrease be…
drewdles
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Binary Black Hole Solution of General Relativity?
This is rather a technical question for experts in General Relativity. An accessible link would be an accepable answer, although any additional discussion is welcome.
GR has well known solutions relating to single Black Holes: Schwarzchild, Rotating…
Roy Simpson
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3 answers
Why are binary objects so critical to astronomy?
There are a lot of astronomical objects out there to study but binary objects seem to get more attention. Why is this? What makes binary objects (stars, Kuiper Belt Objects, black holes, galaxies, etc.) more important or special than lone objects?
dagorym
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Are the orientations of spin-axes and binary/planetary orbits random or is there any relationship with the Galactic plane?
In an answer to another question, a claim has been made that orbit/spin orientations are random (at least within our own Galaxy), except perhaps towards the Galactic centre.
I have dabbled in this area before (…
ProfRob
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Why does a simulated binary system orbiting in a distribution of particles decrease its internal orbital period?
I performed an N-body simulation of a binary system ($m_1 = 0.3 M_\odot$, $m_2 = 1.3 M_\odot$, $e = 0$, $T_\text{orb} = 10 \,\text{yr}$) on a circular orbit around the center of a Plummer's distribution of particles at equilibrium. The simulation,…
Physicyclist
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4 answers
Binary Star system with one star stationary?
Can a Binary Star system be possible where in one star is stationary and the other star revolves around it? (Just like a planet revolving a star. i.e planets in the system and the star revolving around their own center of masses to balance the…
user6123723
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Does a double star system have more mass than its constituents?
According to Einstein, energy is equal to mass. Consider a planet that is in gravitational attraction to two stars. Normally I would say that the gravitational attraction is proportional to the masses of the two stars. But if they are orbiting each…
Anon
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How do inspiraling black holes get closer?
In Newtonian mechanics, binaries are stable. We here on earth are very glad that it will not emit its angular momentum and spiral into the sun. What is different about the black holes and neutron stars that LIGO Virgo are detecting which makes them…
Display Name
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