Astro 734-Binary Stars

Bo Reipurth: Fall 2003

Most stars in the Universe are binaries. This course will give an overview of our current knowledge of binary and multiple stars. Over ten lectures, the following subjects will be discussed, among others:

• Orbital Elements
• The Separation-Distribution Function
• Spectroscopic Binaries
• Eclipsing Binaries
• Absolute Dimensions and Tests of Stellar Evolution Theory
• Apsidal Motion
• Multiple Systems
• Formation of Binaries
• Roche Lobes and Mass Transfer
• The Importance of Binarity for Late Evolutionary Stages
• The Most Massive Binaries

For evaluation, students are requested to make one oral presentation of a sub-topic during the course. Further, at the end of the course students will each write one observing proposal on any topic from the course. The class as a whole will form a TAC to evaluate all proposals.

The course will start on Wednesday 3 September 2003 at 10:30 in the Fern Room