On the stability of age-zero contact binaries. II
Abstract
The secular stability of a contact binary system of 0.85 + 0.5 solar mass is investigated. The system, which is chemically unevolved ('age-zero') is found to be secularly stable. Using the results of this and a previous paper, it is suggested that evolution of contact binaries can occur in either 'cyclic' (secularly unstable) or 'non-cyclic' (secularly stable) modes, depending on the system parameters. According to either picture, a problem arises in connection with the ages of the four W UMa systems in NGC 188.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- May 1982
- Bibcode:
- 1982A&A...109..117H
- Keywords:
-
- Binary Stars;
- Secular Variations;
- Stellar Evolution;
- Thermal Stability;
- Stellar Mass;
- Systems Stability;
- Time Dependence;
- Astrophysics