Top Posters
Since Sunday
5
o
5
4
m
4
b
4
x
4
a
4
l
4
t
4
S
4
m
3
s
3
SlideshowReport

Representative Light Curves of Eclipsing Binaries

Description
Representative Light Curves of Eclipsing Binaries
The shape of the light curve (blue) reveals that the pairs of stars have orbits in planes nearly perpendicular to our line of sight.
They also provide details about the two stars that make up an eclipsing binary. Illustrated here are (a) a partial eclipse and (b) a
total eclipse. (c) The binary star NN Serpens, indicated by the arrow, undergoes a total eclipse. The telescope was moved
during the exposure so that the sky drifted slowly from left to right. During the 10.5-min eclipse, the dimmer but larger star
in the binary system (an M6 V star) passed in front of the more luminous but smaller star (a white dwarf). The binary became
so dim that it almost disappeared
Related Images
Add Comment
Explore
Post your homework questions and get free online help from our incredible volunteers
  844 People Browsing
 116 Signed Up Today
Your Opinion
Which 'study break' activity do you find most distracting?
Votes: 741