Binary Stars Interactive (102.0K)
When a binary star eclipses its companion, this fortunate alignment can yield a lot of information. The sizes, masses, orbital inclinations, speeds, and even shapes of the stars can be learned from the interpretation of the light curve. Let's explore practical uses of this technology.
This is a good interactive, but it is a little too simple. Notice that as you add mass, the size and luminosity increases are very predictable. What assumption is being made, and why is it not always valid.
Now we are expanding our photometric studies to also include transits of large jovian planets in front of their stars, with again information about the size, density, and mass of the planets to be gained. Let's explore practical uses of this technology
When a binary star eclipses its companion, this fortunate alignment can yield a lot of information. The sizes, masses, orbital inclinations, speeds, and even shapes of the stars can be learned from the interpretation of the light curve. In the W Virgins eclipsing binaries, the light curve is never flat, but is sinuous and varying constantly.
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