Start Date
2022
Description
A binary star is a system that contains two stars orbiting each other. A contact binary is a binary star whose component stars are so close that they share the same atmosphere (see Figure 1 on far right). They are the most common kind of eclipsing binary stars. Critical questions to be answered are: how do they form, how do they survive for a long time, and how do they ultimately die? This summer’s work focused on the first of those questions. A process is needed to bring a widely separated binary into contact. It has been suggested this requires two sequential steps: Kozai cycle with tidal friction (KCTF) and magnetic braking. Our companion poster discusses the role of magnetic braking while this poster considers KCTF.
Recommended Citation
Carr, Levi; Feng, Lau Jenn; and Molnar, Larry A., "Formation of Contact Binary Stars: 1) Kozai Cycles with Tidal Friction" (2022). Summer Research. 6.
https://digitalcommons.calvin.edu/summer_research/2022/Posters/6
Formation of Contact Binary Stars: 1) Kozai Cycles with Tidal Friction
A binary star is a system that contains two stars orbiting each other. A contact binary is a binary star whose component stars are so close that they share the same atmosphere (see Figure 1 on far right). They are the most common kind of eclipsing binary stars. Critical questions to be answered are: how do they form, how do they survive for a long time, and how do they ultimately die? This summer’s work focused on the first of those questions. A process is needed to bring a widely separated binary into contact. It has been suggested this requires two sequential steps: Kozai cycle with tidal friction (KCTF) and magnetic braking. Our companion poster discusses the role of magnetic braking while this poster considers KCTF.