A binary star is a system of two stars that orbit around a common center of mass. Binary stars are very common in the universe and are often used by astronomers to study the properties of stars and the structure of the Milky Way galaxy.
Binary stars are classified based on their orbital characteristics and the distance between the two stars. The two stars in a binary system can be either physically connected or separated by a significant distance. The closest binary stars are known as contact binaries, where the two stars are so close that they share their outer layers of gas. In contrast, wide binary stars have a separation of several astronomical units and may not be gravitationally bound.
Binary stars can have a variety of properties, including different masses, sizes, and temperatures. They can also exhibit a wide range of phenomena, such as eclipses, where one star passes in front of the other, and accretion, where one star pulls matter from the other.
Binary stars play an important role in astronomy because they provide a wealth of information about the physical properties of stars, such as their masses, radii, and temperatures. They can also be used to measure distances to stars and to study the structure and evolution of the Milky Way galaxy. In addition, some binary stars are potential candidates for hosting exoplanets, which could potentially support life. Read More about Binary star evolution.
