In astronomy, it is called double star to two stars that are very close when seen from Earth. However, in this article I will share with you everything related to them, so that in this way we can appreciate a little more closely the magnificent things that can happen in space.
What is a double star?
A Double Star is one star couple which are held together by the force of gravity and also revolve around their usual center. To better observe the nature of these systems, I invite you to learn more about telescopes suitable for observation.
In this sense, the steps orbitals, which range from minutes for very close pairs to thousands of years for distant pairs, depend on the distance between the stars and their relative masses. This process can be compared to the motion of stars found in constellations such as the Orion's belt.
At the same time, we can also meet the multiple stars, which consists of those systems in which three or four stars rotate on confusing paths. For example, Lyra looks like a double star, but through the use of a telescope it is noted that each of the two components is a system of two units or binary.
In this order of ideas, the observation of the orbits of double stars is the only direct procedure that the astronomers to be able to weigh the stars and, in this way, it is related to the study of the star explosions.
Likewise, in the case of very close couples, their gravitational affinity it can distort the shape of stars, and gas may flow from one star to another in a process called "mass transfer."
Thanks to the use of the telescope many double stars are detected that above seemed simple. However, when they are very close, they are only discovered if their light is studied by spectroscopy. Then you see the spectra of two stars, and its motion can be derived by the Doppler shift in both spectra. These pairs are called spectroscopic binaries.
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What is the Doppler effect?
El Doppler effect It is a physical phenomenon where a supposed change in wave periodicity is exhibited by a sound source with respect to its observer when that same source is in motion. This phenomenon is named after its explorer, Christian Andreas Doppler, an Austrian mathematician and physicist who exhibited his first theories on this subject in 1842. In the context of astronomy, it is fundamental to interpret the characteristics of the stars and their movements.
On the other hand, the Doppler effect is not merely functional to sound, but also to other types of waves, although humans can only see the effect irradiated in reality when assisted by sound waves.
The Doppler effect is the supposed change in frequency of a wave caused by the relative motion of the source relative to its observer. This phenomenon is crucial for the study of stars, as well as the analysis of the exoplanets.
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2 Types of Double Stars
Currently there are two types of stars doubles, these are:
1. Binary Star
An binary star A star system is made up of two stars that orbit each other around a common center of mass. Recent theories indicate that a significant percentage of stars are part of systems of at least two stars. Multiple systems, which can be triple, quaternary, and even have five or more stars communicating with each other, are also often called binary stars, as is the case with Proxima Centauri and Alpha Centauri A and B.
Due to the large number of supposedly effective binary stars in the universe, Astronomers have needed to increase the number of shapes to differentiate between those that are truly binary and those that are considered to be so, but this is only an optical or observational issue. To better understand this phenomenon, I recommend reading about what is astronomy.
Likewise, this environment is born when two stars separated by great distances and without reciprocal gravitational relationship, are seen very close from our appearance. Similarly, there have been circumstances in which stars of shifting clarity appeared to be eclipsing binaries when in fact they were not. You can learn more about this phenomenon in the article on the Star of David.
It is important to note that there are pairs of stars orbiting so far apart from each other as to develop independently, in many cases the binaries are so close that their individual progress is altered by the changes that their spouse undergoes. Those systems then grow as a whole, creating otherwise unlikely objects.
4 Types of Binary Stars
There are 4 types of binary stars what you should observe
1. Visual Binaries
They are those that can be found with the ordinary telescopes. In this type of binary, both units are visible in the image. These types of binaries are usually not too far from us and quite far apart from each other. To learn more about the different types of telescopes, see the related article.
These binaries, despite their easy detection, are usually not so easy to discover since their orbital periods are usually of the order of hundreds of years. Even two nearby stars would not have to be binary. They could be two stars that crossed paths never to meet again.
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2. Eclipsing Binaries
These are only appreciated when their orbits they are formed with ours in such a way that, usually, one star passes in front of the other. This causes regular decreases in brightness to be seen, the one cited by astronomers as the light curve.
Since their luminosity changes over time, they sometimes go unnoticed as variable stars. Constantly these stars have a short stage since the only way to discover them is to observe the regularity in their light transitions.
3. Astrometric Binaries
In this type of double system only one component of the star is perceptible. They are detected to be binary thanks to the gravitational "pull" practiced by his invisible companion.
This produces an oscillatory movement with respect to the base of fixed stars which can be measured by parallax methods if it is sufficiently close, since this type of calculation is performed on stars close to 10 parsecs, at greater distances the parallax angle is so small that the calculations cannot be made.
4. Optical Binaries
Thank you both stars they appear in the sky very close to each other because they are in the same line of sight. It happens that they are actually at very different distances from us.
One can differentiate optical binary of a true one after observing them for long periods, practically years. If the current of the star is linear, it can be adjudged that the stars are not binary, but false binaries.
2. Optical Double Star
In astronomy it is called optical double star or optical binary star to those two stars that although they believe that they are very close to one of the others seen from Earth, in reality they are separated by a great distance in space and are not gravitationally linked to each other. Likewise, they are unlike properly named binary stars, where both stars are located close together in space and rotate around a common center of mass.
Characteristics of Optical Double Stars
Optical double stars differ from binary stars by visual examination over a long period, usually years. If the relative motion appears linear, it can be safely assumed that the motion is due exclusively to the proper motion of the stars and that they create a double optic.
In the case of a true binary star, the angle of focus gradually changes and the distance between the two stars fluctuates between a maximum and a minimum.
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In conclusion, there are various stars In the universe and one of these can be the Double Star, but be careful, sometimes they can be like this or in other cases they can be believed that they are really united when in fact it is an untrue perspective generated by our vision.
