Measurement of the Tidal Dissipation in Multiple Stars
Abstract
Considerable effort has been spent to date in measuring the period of tidal circularisation in close binaries as a function of age, in order to constrain the tidal dissipation theory. Here we evaluate a new, direct method of measuring the tidal dissipation by precise timings of periastron passages in a very eccentric binary. The example of the 41 Dra system is studied in some detail.
- Publication:
-
Binary Stars as Critical Tools & Tests in Contemporary Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- August 2007
- DOI:
- 10.1017/S1743921307004218
- Bibcode:
- 2007IAUS..240..306T