Database of binary star data info within 10 PC of Earth

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Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on finding a database of binary stars located within 10 parsecs of Earth, specifically seeking information about their orbital characteristics, such as eccentricity and distance between stars. Participants explore various resources and methods for accessing this data, considering the challenges faced by those with limited experience in database usage.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant is searching for a user-friendly database that provides detailed information on binary star orbits within 10 parsecs of Earth.
  • Another participant shares a link to a database and suggests using queries to find systems within the specified distance, mentioning the use of coordinates to determine proximity.
  • Concerns are raised about defining what constitutes a binary system and the inclusion of brown dwarfs in the search, with one participant proposing lithium as a potential dividing line for classification.
  • A participant expresses difficulty in finding specific orbital information, noting that existing databases primarily provide stellar characteristics rather than orbital parameters.
  • One suggestion is made to utilize the ESA's Gaia site tutorials to gain familiarity with database queries, which may lead to finding the necessary orbital parameters or relevant publications.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for a two-step approach to find binary star systems and their parameters. However, there is no consensus on the definition of binary systems or the inclusion of brown dwarfs, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the best resources for obtaining the desired information.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the challenges of defining binary systems and the potential variability in data availability across different databases. There is also uncertainty regarding the completeness and accuracy of the information provided by the suggested resources.

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TL;DR
I'm looking for a database of binary stars within 10 PC of Earth containing info such as the eccentricity of orbits around one another that's somewhat easy to use.
I'm looking for a database of binary stars within 10 PC of Earth, including information such as eccentricity of orbits, their distance from one another, etc. I'm hoping to find a list with this information, or just a collection of pages with this information. I've tried Simbad but I can't find information on Binary Star Orbits. My question is, is there a publicly available database with this information that's somewhat easy to use to someone without much experience with such databases?
 
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Here's one I found via Google:

https://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/W3Browse/star-catalog/cabscat.html

I imagine a query would be needed to find those systems that close to Earth ala 10 pc.

At the bottom of the page they mention fields x-coords, y-coords, z-coords which could be used via the pythagorean theorem to decide if the system is within your 10pc radius.

and this page seems to allow queries by distance:

http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-fcoo

then again maybe not. It seemes to index journal articles.
 
I suspect you will need to do this in two steps - find the systems, and then look up their parameters.

I also suspect you will need to decide what a binary system is/what a star is - i.e. what to do with brown dwarfs. You may or may not be able to get a sharp definition. I would be inclined to consider lithium as the dividing line, but I don't know if all my candidates would have good measurements,
 
Vanadium 50 said:
I suspect you will need to do this in two steps - find the systems, and then look up their parameters.

I also suspect you will need to decide what a binary system is/what a star is - i.e. what to do with brown dwarfs. You may or may not be able to get a sharp definition. I would be inclined to consider lithium as the dividing line, but I don't know if all my candidates would have good measurements,
That's a fair point. I have created a list of the binary stars I need information on (I am including orbiting brown dwarfs for the time being, and I can always just ignore them later on), but I'm having trouble finding information on their oribits, as the databases I have tried so far just give me information on the stars themselves--such as brightness and declination--whereas I need to know information about how they orbit around one another. It doesn't help that I'm inexperienced in the use of databases, so I'm not exactly sure how to look for what I need, either.
 
I would suggest going thru the tutorials on the ESA's Gaia site to gain some experience on the database queries. They are very good, and they also have a database of non-single stars. I haven't gone thru this database, but they may have the orbital parameters, or links to the publications that do.

https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/gaia/dr3-non-single-stars
 
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Mendrys said:
I would suggest going thru the tutorials on the ESA's Gaia site to gain some experience on the database queries. They are very good, and they also have a database of non-single stars. I haven't gone thru this database, but they may have the orbital parameters, or links to the publications that do.

https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/gaia/dr3-non-single-stars
Thank you very much! That's a good idea, I'll try that!
 

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