Binary star systems are common in the universe, with up to seven bodies orbiting each other. Mapping their orbits allows for mass estimation, useful for determining absolute luminosity and distance. Eclipsing binaries can be used to estimate size, density, and distance to other galaxies. The closest star system, Alpha Centauri, is a binary system with no true habitable zone.
A binary star system is a star system with two stars orbiting each other. Multiple star systems, such as trinaries, etc., are also generally classified using the same term. Star systems with up to seven bodies orbiting each other have been classified.
Binary star systems are thought to be quite common in the universe, and in fact may be the majority. This is because the dust cloud that collapses to form stars often has more than one center of gravity. If they are small lumps, they form planets or brown dwarfs, if large they form stars. Binary stars are said to be companion stars to each other.
Binary systems of stars are very important in astronomy, because mapping their orbits of each other allows their masses to be estimated. Mass estimation is useful for contrasting it with temperature and apparent luminosity, helping us determine absolute luminosity and distance. Eclipsing binaries, in which stars in a binary system periodically eclipse each other from our perspective, are particularly useful. How they eclipse each other can be used to estimate their size, density, luminosity, and distance. Eclipsing binaries have been used to measure the distance to other galaxies, such as the Andromeda galaxy and the Triangulum galaxy, with an error factor of less than 5%.
The closest star system, Alpha Centauri, is a binary star system, consisting of two closely orbiting Sun-sized stars, themselves orbited by a red dwarf. The two central stars have an elliptical orbit around each other, coming up to 11 AU and separating up to 35 AU, and completing a complete cycle every 80 years. Due to the chaotic dynamics of such a system, there is no true “habitable zone” in which surface temperatures remain nearly constant. The surface temperature changes from year to year.
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