Interacting Binaries with Eccentric Orbits: Ballistic Trajectories
Abstract
The rapid circularization and synchronization of the stellar components in an eccentric binary system prior to mass transfer is a fundamental assumption common to all binary stellar evolution codes. The validity of this assumption has been called into question both theoretically and observationally. Here, we present a study of the secular evolution of the orbital elements of an eccentric binary assuming periodic, instantaneous mass transfer occurring at the periastron of the relative orbit. There are, in general, three classes of expected orbital trajectories: 1. direct impact onto the accretor, 2. disk formation around the accretor, and 3. self-accretion back onto the donor star. We explore each of these classes, as well as the orbital parameters at which they occur. We also present the ballistic trajectories of the ejected particles and the secular evolution of the orbital elements for each class.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2007
- Bibcode:
- 2007AAS...21115107S