Planet at the center of mass of a binary star system

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the possibility of a planet forming or being captured at the center of mass of a binary star system, exploring its potential habitability and the implications of such a position. The scope includes conceptual considerations related to astrophysics and speculative scenarios in science fiction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant wonders if a planet could form at the center of mass of a binary star system and if it could be habitable under certain conditions.
  • Another participant suggests that a planet at a Lagrangian point would not remain stable and would drift, potentially being disturbed by other celestial bodies.
  • A participant expresses uncertainty about the feasibility of such a planet existing in reality and seeks clarification to avoid inaccuracies in a story they are writing.
  • There is a discussion about the appropriateness of the question for the forum, with some participants indicating it was miscategorized.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the feasibility of a planet existing at the center of mass of a binary star system, with differing views on stability and habitability. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the potential for such a planet.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions about stability at Lagrangian points and the conditions necessary for habitability, which remain unresolved in the discussion.

John Fluharty
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I can't think of an instance of this in science fiction, but then I do not have the broadest knowledge of the field, so I could have missed something obvious to everyone else. I wonder, though, could a planet form at the center of mass of a binary star system or be captured there, and could this planet be habitable if everything was positioned just right? There would be no night of course and the two stars would appear to orbit around the planet. Could this planet have a moon? My knowledge of physics is not very deep, either, so I am not really sure of what other issues being at that position would cause.
 
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The science fiction forums are for discussing existing fiction or for getting advice when writing. Your question is best suited elsewhere so I have moved it. Please review the SF&F forum rules: https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/science-fiction-and-fantasy-forum-rules.680313/

With regards to your question I'm pretty sure the answer is no. The planet would be placed in a Lagrangian point but nothing would hold it there. It would naturally drift (perhaps disturbed by the orbits of other planets) before falling towards one of the stars.
 
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I really don't understand why my question did not fit but I am sorry about the mistake. I was just asking because I don't want to set a story on such a world if one is not likely to exist in the real universe and I was uncertain of the answer to the question. I do have a basic understanding of what Lagrangian points are, though, and should have thought if that myself. Thanks.
 
Happy to help. If you had stated that you were interested in writing a story and this was part of the setting you needed help with then it would have been acceptable for the science fiction writing subforum. As it stands this wasn't clear and it seemed like you just had a question suitable to a technical forum.
 
Several off-topic posts and their responses have been deleted. Please stay on topic.
 

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