AST-348intermediate

Binary, Multiple & Variable Stars: Physical Mechanisms

Many stars are members of binary or multiple systems, and many also vary in brightness. Binary stars provide the most direct stellar mass measurements and calibrate stellar models.

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intermediate47 minFact checked

Binary, Multiple & Variable Stars: Physical Mechanisms

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AST-347Binary, Multiple & Variable Stars: Structures & Vocabulary→

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AST-349Binary, Multiple & Variable Stars: Observation, Measurement & Evidence→

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Many stars are members of binary or multiple systems, and many also vary in brightness.

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Two bound stars orbit their common center of mass according to gravity.

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Periodic radial-velocity shifts reveal orbital periods and velocity amplitudes, while eclipse light curves constrain radii and inclination.