| binary star n. A stellar system consisting of two stars orbiting about a common center of mass and often appearing as a single visual or telescopic object. Also called double star. |
binary star
n
(Astronomy) a double star system comprising two stars orbiting around their common centre of mass. A visual binary can be seen through a telescope. A spectroscopic binary can only be observed by the spectroscopic Doppler shift as each star moves towards or away from the earth Sometimes shortened to binary See also optical double star, eclipsing binary
| binary star A system of two stars that orbit a common center of mass, appearing as a single star when visible to the unaided eye. The orbital periods of binary stars range from several hours to several centuries. By some estimates, at least half of the stars in the Milky Way galaxy are members of binary star systems. Also called double star.  Binary stars are divided into four main classes based on how their dual nature is detected. A visual binary can be resolved telescopically into its two components. Only one star of an astrometric binary is visible, but the unseen component can be identified from its gravitational effect on the visible star, causing it to oscillate slightly, or wobble, against the background of more distant stars. The two components of a spectroscopic binary are identified based on their varying orbital velocities toward or away from Earth as revealed by periodic Doppler shifts in their spectral lines. In an eclipsing binary, the two components orbit each other in such a way that they periodically obscure or eclipse each other as viewed from Earth, causing changes in their observed brightness. Eclipsing binaries are also considered a kind of variable star. Two stars that lie very close to each other along an observer's line of sight but that are not associated with each other in a gravitational system are known as optical binaries. Although they appear close to each other in the sky, such stars are actually very distant from each other in space. See also multiple starvariable star |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | binary star - a system of two stars that revolve around each other under their mutual gravitation star - (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior |
Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.
| ?Page tools | ||
|---|---|---|
|