Eclipsing Binary Stars - Modeling Software

Star Light Pro - Modeling Eclipsing Binary Stars Download Free Software [EXE]
Advanced Theory Star Light Pro [EXE] Rendering Close Binary Stars [PDF] Roche Lobes [PDF] The Shape of a Rotating Star [PDF] Animation: CK Boo Animation: GW Cep Animation: XY Leo	Basic Theory A Simple Light Curve Model [HTM] Limb Darkening Defined [HTM] Heliocentric Julian Day [HTM] Binary Star Lecture [PPT] Student Exercises [DOC]	Excel Worksheets Simple Light Curve Worksheet [XLS] Rotating Star Shapes [XLS] Roche Lobes [XLS] Lagrange Points [XLS] 3D Potential [XLS] Julian Day [XLS]

What are Binary Stars?

Most stars are found in groups of stars that are gravitationally bound with each other. The majority of these stars are found in binary systems which are systems of two stars in orbit around a common center of mass.

One can classify binary stars based on their appearance from earth. Stars that are far enough apart to be distinguished from each other are known as visual binaries. Other binaries are too close and far away to be seen separately but can distinguished using the doppler shift of their spectra. These are spectroscopic binaries.

In rare instances, such as with the star Algol the binary stars are close enough so that the eclipse one another. In this case, one can calculate not only the mass of the binary star systems, but also the radii of the stars.

Software

StarLight Pro

StarLight Pro produces animated views of eclipsing binary stars and calculate synthetic lightcurves. The effects of limb darkening, temperature, inclination, stellar size, mass ratio, and star shape are included. This is a free download for Windows.

Binary View
- Windows software provided by Alexander Hobbs at Leicester University, UK.
JAVA Simulations of Binary Stars
- JAVA Example from Cornell University.
Eclipsing Binary Simulator
- EBS is a Windows astronomy application to visualise the orbit and synthetic light curve of binary star systems. It is made for educational purposes and for having fun.
Binary Stars
- Free astronomical software for Macintosh computers, complete with manuals, teaching binary star concepts, for classroom or personal use.
Nightfall Eclipsing Binary Star Program
- Nightfall can produce animated views of eclipsing binary stars, calculate synthetic lightcurves and radial velocity curves, and eventually determine the best-fit model for a given set of observational data of an eclipsing binary star system. (Linux or Unix)

Wilson-Devinney Code

Fortran code provided by Robert E. Wilson a the University of Florida.

PHOEBE
- PHOEBE stands for PHysics Of Eclipsing Binaries. It is an astronomical software that helps you do the modeling of eclipsing binaries (EBs) based on real photometric and spectroscopic (radial velocity) data. It is based on the Wilson-Devinney code. (Linux or Unix)
Binary Maker
- Commercial software by Contact Software.
FindEB
- Macintosh programs by Dr. Claud H Sandberg Lacy (clacy@uafsysb.uark.edu) at the University of Arkansas.
BASIC Programs from Sky & Telescope
- BASIC code for modeling binary stars: BINARY.BAS, GOSS.BAS, PULSAR.BAS, PERIOD.BAS
SEDS
- This is a collection of 5 archived programs related to binary stars.
Phases
- Fanel Donea's DOS program that computes heliocentric phases.

Lists of Eclipsing Binary Stars

BAV Data
- The BAV Data contains the complete observational results (maxima and minima) of the BAV on eclipsing binaries, short- and longperiod pulsating stars, cataclysmic and eruptive variables.
General Catalogue of Variable Stars: [ SFA Excel | Site 1 | Site 2 | Site 3 ] - Type Key
An Atlas of O-C Diagrams of Eclipsing Binary Stars
Stars from Binary Stars: A Pictorial Atlas
Eighth Catalogue of the Orbital Elements of Spectroscopic Binary Systems
AAVSO - Eclipsing Binary Section
Catalogue of Algol-type Binary Stars

Online Articles and More Information

Visual Binaries and Optical Doubles

COMMON DOUBLE STARS WITH SIGNIFICANT COLOR CONTRAST
            (positions, separations, and position angles for 2000)
            LEGEND: R.A. = Right Ascension (2000.0) Dec. = Declination
            mag. = apparent visual magnitude sp. = spectral type
            Sep. = separation (in arc seconds) P.A. = position angle
            ********************************************************************
            Eta Cassiopeiae, R.A. 0h 49.10m Dec. +57d 49.0'
            Primary: mag. 3.4, sp. G0V, Secondary: mag. 7.5, sp. dM0
            Sep. 12.8" arc, P.A. 317 deg. (period: 480 years)
            Colors seen in 10 inch: Off-white and faint reddish-orange.
            ALMACH (Gamma And.), R.A. 2h 3.90m Dec. +42d 19.8'
            Primary: mag. 2.2 sp. K3III, Secondary: mag. 4.8 sp. B8V
            Sep. 9.8" arc, P.A. 64 deg. (mag. 6.3 companion of Gamma-B at 0.4" arc,
            p.a. 103 deg.).
            Colors seen in 10 inch: Yellow (Gold) and light blue.
            h3945 (ADS 5951, CMa), R.A. 7h 16.61m Dec. -23d 18.9'
            Primary: mag. 4.8 sp. K4III, Secondary: mag. 6.8, sp. F0
            Sep. 26.6" arc, P.A. 55 deg.
            Colors seen in 10 inch: Orange and bluish-white.
            Iota Cancri, R.A. 8h 46.70m Dec. +28d 45.6'
            Primary: mag. 4.0 sp. G8II, Secondary: mag. 6.6 sp. A3V
            Sep. 30.5" arc, P.A. 307 deg.
            Colors seen in 10 inch: Light yellow and pale blue.
            24 Comae Berenices, R.A. 12h 35.13m Dec. +18d 22.6'
            Primary: mag. 5.0 sp. K2III, Secondary: mag. 6.6 sp. A7V
            Sep. 20.3" arc, P.A. 271 deg.
            Colors seen in 10 inch: Yellow and pale blue.
            Izar (Epsilon Bootis), R.A. 14h 44.99m Dec. +27d 4.5'
            Primary: mag. 2.4 sp. K0II, Secondary: mag. 5.1, sp. A2V
            Sep. 2.8: arc P.A. 339 deg.
            Colors seen in 10 inch: Yellow and light blue.
            Antares (Alpha Sco). R.A. 16h 29.41m Dec. -26d 25.9'
            Primary: mag. 1.0v sp. M1I, Secondary: mag. 5.4 sp. B4
            Sep. 2.6" arc P.A. 274 deg.
            Colors seen in 10 inch: Orange and light blue.
            Ras Algethi (Alpha Her) R.A. 17h 14.65m Dec. +14d 23.4'
            Primary: mag. 3.2v sp. M5II Secondary: mag. 5.4, sp. F2/G3
            Sep. 4.6" arc P.A. 104 deg.
            Colors seen in 10 inch: Reddish-orange and pale bluish-white.
            SHJ 282 (ADS 11834, Lyra), R.A. 18h 54.90m Dec. +33d 58.0'
            Primary: mag. 6.1, sp. G8 Secondary: mag. 7.7, sp. A1
            Sep. 45.4" arc P.A. 350 deg.
            Colors seen in 10 inch: Yellowish-white and bluish-white.
            Alberio (Beta Cyg) 19h 30.72m Dec. +27d 57.6'
            Primary: mag. 3.1 sp. K3II Secondary: mag. 5.1 sp. B8V
            Sep. 34.3" arc P.A. 54 deg.
            Colors seen in 10 inch: Yellow and light blue.
            ADS 12900 (Cyg). 19h 45.86m Dec. +35d 0.77'
            Primary: mag. 6.1 sp. K2? Secondary: mag. 8.6 sp. A2V
            Sep. 37.5" arc P.A. 25 deg.
            Colors seen in 10 inch: Yellow and blue.
            Gamma Delphini, R.A. 20h 46.73m Dec. +16 deg. 7.8'
            Primary: mag. 4.2 sp. K1, Secondary: mag. 5.2 sp. F8.
            Sep. 9.6" arc P.A. 268 deg.
            Colors seen in 10 inch: Yellowish and white (hint of blue)?
            Delta Cephei R.A. 22h 29.20m Dec. +58d 25'
            Prmary: mag. 4.07 (variable) sp. F5-G3 Secondary: mag. 6.27 sp. B7
            Sep. 40.8" arc P.A. 191 deg.
            Colors seen in 10 inch: Yellowish-white and light blue.