The planetary system of Barnard's star
Abstract
Analysis of astrometric positions of this nearby red dwarf star, obtained with the Sproul 61-cm photovisual refractor in 44 consecutive years over the interval 1938 - 1981, confirms the orbital interpretation established earlier. The perturbation is attributed to two approximately circular orbits with periods 12 and 20 years and radii 0″0070 and 0″0064, caused by invisible companions with 0.7 and 0.5 Jupiter masses respectively. The orbits may be nearly co-planar and co-revolving, thus supporting the notion of a planetary system. The reality of the perturbation is supported by setting it against the remarkably linear astrometric profile of the Sproul telescope determined from the barycentric paths of twenty-three stars observed over the interval 1937-1981.
- Publication:
-
Vistas in Astronomy
- Pub Date:
- 1982
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0083-6656(82)90004-6
- Bibcode:
- 1982VA.....26..141V
- Keywords:
-
- Astrometry;
- Extrasolar Planets;
- Planetary Systems;
- Red Dwarf Stars;
- Circular Orbits;
- Orbit Perturbation;
- Refracting Telescopes;
- Astronomy