Author: iamdefinitory

CENTER OF MASS: The common point around which two stars in a binary system orbit.

ORBITAL PERIOD: The time it takes for two stars in a binary system to complete one orbit around their common center of mass.

ECLIPSING BINARY: A binary star system in which one star periodically passes in front of the other, causing periodic dimming.

SPECTROSCOPIC BINARY: A binary star system where the stars cannot be resolved visually, but their orbital motion can be detected through shifts in spectral lines.

VISUAL BINARY: A binary star system in which the two stars can be individually observed with a telescope.

BINARY STAR SYSTEM: A system containing two stars that are gravitationally bound and orbit a common center of mass.

NOVA: An explosive event in a binary system involving a white dwarf accreting material from a companion star, leading to a sudden increase in brightness.

ACCRETION IN WHITE DWARFS: A white dwarf can gain mass from a companion star in a binary system, possibly leading to nova explosions.

MAGNETIC ACTIVITY IN WHITE DWARFS: Some white dwarfs exhibit strong magnetic fields, which can influence their surrounding environment.