What would a spacetime diagram of a binary star system look like?

[blumfeld0]

Hi. Does anyone know what the spacetime diagram of a binary star system would look like? thanks
pic would be great

blumfeld0

 

[James R]

With 2 space axes (corresponding to the orbital plane) and 1 time axis, it would look roughly like a double-helix (like a DNA spiral).

 

[blumfeld0]

Thanks for your reply. How do you come to that conclusion?
thanks again

blumfeld0

 

[James R]

Well, the two stars orbit around a common centre of mass. Their orbits are elliptical and periodic. If you graph the orbits without the time axis, you get two overlapping ellipses. Adding time as another axis turns the ellipses into spirals.

How much do you know about spacetime diagrams?

 

[tony873004]

With 2 space axes (corresponding to the orbital plane) and 1 time axis, it would look roughly like a double-helix (like a DNA spiral).

like this?

 

[bernhard.rothenstein]

have a look please at
http://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0510113
could you extend it to your case