Theories of contact binary stars
Abstract
We review and contrast two current theories for the structure of contact binary stars: discontinuity theory and thermal relaxation oscillation theory. We find that the two theories are complementary with the crucial theoretical issue to be resolved being the secular stability of the temperature inversion layer. Critical observational tests remain to be performed.
- Publication:
-
Close Binary Stars: Observations and Interpretation
- Pub Date:
- 1980
- Bibcode:
- 1980IAUS...88..477S
- Keywords:
-
- Astrophysics;
- Binary Stars;
- Companion Stars;
- Stellar Structure;
- Discontinuity;
- Relaxation Oscillators;
- Stellar Envelopes;
- Temperature Inversions;
- Astrophysics