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It has been suggested that this article or section be with Double planet, but this suggestion is disputed. (Discuss) |
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It has been suggested that this article or section be with Binary asteroid, but this suggestion is disputed. (Discuss) |
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It has been suggested that this article or section be with Contact binary, but this suggestion is disputed. (Discuss) |
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It has been suggested that this article or section be with Binary star, but this suggestion is disputed. (Discuss) |
A binary system is an astronomy term referring to two objects in space - usually stars, but may be planets or asteroids - which are so close that their gravitational forces attract one another other about a common center of mass that is not located within the interior of either object. Astronomers find that more than 50% of stars are binary stars. A multiple system is like a binary system but consists of three or more objects ( star system ) .
See Binary star for the common case of a binary system composed of two stars, double planet and Binary asteroid.
Brightness Fluctuation
Sometimes, a binary system consists of a large dim star and a small bright one, causing fluctuations in brightness of the system. If the bright star is behind the dim one the system appears dim. If the bright star is in front of the dim one, the system has some intermediate brightness. If the stars are next to each other, the system appears very bright.
References
- Astronomy: A Visual Guide by Mark A. Garlick
See also
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