How to Determine the Period and Separation of an Eclipsing Binary Star System?

AI Thread Summary
To determine the period (P) and separation (a) of an eclipsing binary star system, the discussion highlights the characteristics of two main sequence stars, including their absolute magnitudes, temperatures, radii, and masses. The brighter star has an absolute magnitude of -1 and a mass of 3.17 solar masses, while the smaller star has an absolute magnitude of 3 and a mass of 1.4 solar masses. The eclipse duration of the smaller star is noted to be P/7. The participant is seeking additional formulas beyond Kepler's laws and expresses urgency due to an upcoming science competition. The discussion emphasizes the need for further guidance and resources to solve the problem effectively.
Soylentgreen
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
This problem deals with two main sequence stars in an eclipsing binary star system. I need to determine the system's peiod and separation (P and a).
Right now i know that the brightest star has an absolute magnitude of -1 (219 solar luminosity), is 17,000 degrees kelvin, has a radius of 1.74 solar radii (1,280,000 km) and is 3.17 solar masses. The smaller star has an absolute magnitude of 3 (6 solar luminosity), and is 1.4 solar masses.
the time it takes for the eclipse of the small star (the smaller dip) is P/7.

Go to this site (#24 +#25) to see the illustration of the problem...

h ttp://www.tufts.edu/as/wright_center/fellows/sci_olympiad/astro_ohio_questions_2003.pdfthis site has the answers... i just don't know how to get them!

h ttp://www.tufts.edu/as/wright_center/fellows/sci_olympiad/astro_ohio_answers2003.pdf

i know kepler's law: m1 +m2 = a^3/p^2
2(pi)R= (velocity) x p
m/M=x1/x2
There must be other formulas i don't know about...i am going nowhere. i have asked my teachers and they don't know what to do either. This is practice for a science olympiad competion and it will likely be on the test. Help please! i don't have much time!
 
Last edited:
Astronomy news on Phys.org
Those links don't work.
 
now they do.. just delete the space between the "h" and the "t" in http
 
TL;DR Summary: In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect alien signals, it will further expand the radius of the so-called silence (or rather, radio silence) of the Universe. Is there any sense in this or is blissful ignorance better? In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect...
Thread 'Could gamma-ray bursts have an intragalactic origin?'
This is indirectly evidenced by a map of the distribution of gamma-ray bursts in the night sky, made in the form of an elongated globe. And also the weakening of gamma radiation by the disk and the center of the Milky Way, which leads to anisotropy in the possibilities of observing gamma-ray bursts. My line of reasoning is as follows: 1. Gamma radiation should be absorbed to some extent by dust and other components of the interstellar medium. As a result, with an extragalactic origin, fewer...
This thread is dedicated to the beauty and awesomeness of our Universe. If you feel like it, please share video clips and photos (or nice animations) of space and objects in space in this thread. Your posts, clips and photos may by all means include scientific information; that does not make it less beautiful to me (n.b. the posts must of course comply with the PF guidelines, i.e. regarding science, only mainstream science is allowed, fringe/pseudoscience is not allowed). n.b. I start this...
Back
Top