Double stars

This book deals with the subject of binary and multiple stars, covering such topics as observations, dynamical methods, results, and evolutionary deductions. Classes of double stars are discussed along with double-star research, double-star catalogs, available orbital solutions, optical and temporary double stars, and relative positions in visual doubles. Attention is given to micrometric and interferometric observations, magnitudes of double-star components, orbital elements of visual binaries, ephemeris formulas, determination of visual binary orbits, edge-on and parabolic orbits, absolute orbits and mass ratios, stellar masses, and the mass-luminosity relationship. Dynamical parallaxes, multiple and unresolved systems, radial velocities, and spectroscopic doubles are examined together with the elements of spectroscopic orbits, photometric double stars and light curves, classes of eclipsing binaries, limb darkening, and analytical models. The origin of binary stars is considered, mass transfer is studied, and X-ray binaries are described.