Binary Stars

Binary stars are pairs of stars that orbit around a common center of mass due to their mutual gravitational attraction. They can be classified as optical binaries, where two stars appear close from our perspective but are not physically related, or physical binaries, which are truly bound together. These systems provide essential insights into stellar evolution, as we can determine their masses, compositions, and life cycles by studying their interactions. Understanding binary stars helps astronomers gain a clearer picture of how stars form and evolve in the universe.