Evolutionary Processes in Binary and Multiple Stars (Cambridge Astrophysics, Series Number 40) - Softcover

Eggleton, Peter

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1107403421 ISBN 13: 9781107403420

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2011

Synopsis

Binary systems of stars are as common as single stars. Stars evolve primarily by nuclear reactions in their interiors, but a star with a binary companion can also have its evolution influenced by the companion. Multiple star systems can exist in a stable state for millions of years, but can ultimately become unstable as one star grows in radius until it engulfs another. This volume discusses the statistics of binary stars; the evolution of single stars; and several of the most important kinds of interaction between two (and even three or more) stars. A series of mathematical appendices provides a concise but complete account of the mathematics of these processes.

About this title

Book Description

This volume discusses the statistics of binary stars; the evolution of single stars; and several of the most important kinds of interaction between two (and even three or more) stars. Some of the interactions discussed are Roche-lobe overflow, tidal friction, gravitational radiation, magnetic activity driven by rapid rotation, stellar winds, magnetic braking, and the influence of a distant third body on a close binary orbit. A series of mathematical appendices gives a concise but full account of the mathematics of these processes.

About the Author

Peter Eggleton is a physicist at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1107403421
• ISBN 13: 9781107403420
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 332