Physics/astronomy eclipsing binary problem help

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The discussion focuses on solving an eclipsing binary problem involving two stars, Q and R, with specific luminosities and characteristics. Star Q has a luminosity of 800 solar luminosities, while star R has a luminosity of 5 solar luminosities and a radius of 1,000,000 km. The key calculations required include determining the apparent magnitude of star R, the separation of the two stars, the distance to the star system in parsecs, and the absolute magnitude of star R, with answers provided for each calculation.

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  • Knowledge of stellar luminosity and magnitude calculations
  • Familiarity with astronomical distance measures, including parsecs
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physics/astronomy eclipsing binary problem! help!

I have been looking at this problem for a while and i am really getting frustrated.

Here it is. I have an eclipsing binary system with a period of 1 year. Star Q has 800 solar luminosities, while the other star, star R, has 5 solar luminosities.
the radius of star R is 1,000,000 km, and it is .75 solar masses. Its apparent magnitude is 11.6.
It does not say whether or not the stars are main sequence.

a) what is the apparent magnitude of star R?
b) what is the separation of the two stars in km
c) what is the distance to the star system in parsecs.
d) what is the absolute magniude of star R.the answer for the above questions are as follows:
a) 5.8-6.3
b) 7-8x 10^9 km
c) 470-530 parsecs
d) 2.8-3.4

i have the answers but i don't know how to get to them and i have been trying for over an hour and a half. please help someone!
 
Last edited:
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probably not the best place to post this problem.
 

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