Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2003-04-23
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
12 pages, 5 figures, to appear in 3D Stellar Evolution, ed. P.P. Eggleton and D.S.P. Dearborn (ASP Conf. Ser.)
Scientific paper
Despite being the most abundant (by space density) of interacting binary stars, W Ursae Majoris (W UMa) stars are not understood structurally. Their stellar components are in physical contact, and share a common convective envelope. Observations demand large-scale energy exchange between components, as do considerations of hydrostatic and thermal equilibrium. Yet solutions in complete equilibrium can account for only a few of the bluest W UMa binaries. Models which permit departures from thermal equilibrium can reproduce the observable properties of later-type W UMa binaries, but they develop relaxation oscillations, during a substantial portion of which the binary components break thermal contact and develop very different effective temperatures, contrary to observational statistics. Massive, early-type contact binaries are also known to exist, but the nature of energy and mass exchange in common radiative envelopes remains virtually unexplored.
No associations
LandOfFree
Contact Binaries does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Contact Binaries, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Contact Binaries will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-518601