Determining Binary Star Orbits Using Kepler's Equation
Abstract
Students calculated ephemerides and generated orbits of four well-known binary systems. Using an iterative technique in Microsoft® Excel® to solve Kepler's equation, separation and position angle values were generated as well as plots of the apparent orbits. Current position angle and separation values were measured in the field and compared well to the calculated values for the stars: STF1196AB,C, STF296AB, STF296AB and STF60AB.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Double Star Observations
- Pub Date:
- April 2017
- Bibcode:
- 2017JDSO...13..189B