Creating a Program to Trace Binary Stars

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Abstract

The project began as a way to conclude whether or not two

stars would become binary and trace their predicted orbits. The

program itself grew even more to plot the orbits of those stars

that had irregular but possibly binary orbits. The results began

with the perfect orbit of the stars Capella C and Capella D.

From there I experimented with switching the velocities to

produce different predicted graphs. These graphs expressed all

the same information that was in the original, but the only

change was their starting directions. This goes to prove that

despite all the data being true, the graphs change magnanimously.

This causes one to wonder whether or not if a known star system

were to have met under different conditions would it still have

created the same or similar system as seen today.

Background

A binary star system is a system in which two stars of

similar or different properties orbit around a central point

together. Based on their mass, force of gravity, and velocity my

program will determine which of these pairs of stars will create

such a system or either collide or shoot away from one another.

Of the known or commonly viewed stars, about eighty percent

are members of multiple star systems. Most of these are binary

star systems. Stars in a 'wide' binary system orbit their common

center of mass but evolve independently. Meaning that neither

star affects the other's evolutionary process. These wide binary

stars provide the best means of measuring the masses of stars by

observing the size and period of the orbit and then applying the

theory of gravity.

Close binary systems are when the stars are so close to

each other that they can transfer matter back and forth, directly

affecting the ...

... middle of paper ...

...not start out with

such. This prompts further research into developing binary star

systems and their orbits. Another area to research would be

existing binary systems to test in the program, perhaps as

confirmation data or to view how the two stars could have began

their relationship.

References

Haynes, Martha, & Churchman, Stirling (1999). Binary

Stars. Retrieved July 26, 2005 from the World Wide Web:

http://astrosun2.astro.cornell.edu/academics/courses//astro201/bi

nstar.htm

Nave .R. Red Giants. Retrieved July 31, 2005 from the

World Wide Web: http://hyperphysics.phyastr.

gsu.edu/hbase/astro/redgia.html

Sol Company (1998-2005). Capella CD System. Retrieved

July31,2005 from the World Wide Web:

http://www.solstation.com/orbits/cap-cdsys.htm

Binary Stars 7

United States Academic Decathlon: 2004-2005 Super Quiz

Resource Guide Astronomy (pp.50-53).

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