A report on Double star
Pair of stars that appear close to each other as viewed from Earth, especially with the aid of optical telescopes.
- Double star24 related topics with Alpha
Binary star
6 linksSystem of two stars that are gravitationally bound to and in orbit around each other.
System of two stars that are gravitationally bound to and in orbit around each other.
The more general term double star is used for pairs of stars which are seen to be close together in the sky.
Star system
6 linksSmall number of stars that orbit each other, bound by gravitational attraction.
Small number of stars that orbit each other, bound by gravitational attraction.
A star system of two stars is known as a binary star, binary star system or physical double star.
Mizar
4 linksSecond-magnitude star in the handle of the Big Dipper asterism in the constellation of Ursa Major.
Second-magnitude star in the handle of the Big Dipper asterism in the constellation of Ursa Major.
It forms a well-known naked eye double star with the fainter star Alcor, and is itself a quadruple star system.
Mizar and Alcor
2 linksMizar and Alcor are two stars forming a naked eye double in the handle of the Big Dipper (or Plough) asterism in the constellation of Ursa Major.
Proper motion
3 linksAstrometric measure of the observed changes in the apparent places of stars or other celestial objects in the sky, as seen from the center of mass of the Solar System, compared to the abstract background of the more distant stars.
Astrometric measure of the observed changes in the apparent places of stars or other celestial objects in the sky, as seen from the center of mass of the Solar System, compared to the abstract background of the more distant stars.
Two or more stars, double stars or open star clusters, which are moving in similar directions, exhibit so-called shared or common proper motion (or cpm.), suggesting they may be gravitationally attached or share similar motion in space.
Ursa Major
2 linksConstellation in the northern sky, whose associated mythology likely dates back into prehistory.
Constellation in the northern sky, whose associated mythology likely dates back into prehistory.
ζ Ursae Majoris, Mizar, the second star in from the end of the handle of the Big Dipper, and the constellation's fourth-brightest star. Mizar, which means "girdle," forms a famous double star, with its optical companion Alcor (80 Ursae Majoris), the two of which were termed the "horse and rider" by the Arabs.
Alpha Centauri
4 linksGravitationally bound system of the closest stars and planets to the Solar System at 4.37 light-years from the Sun.
Gravitationally bound system of the closest stars and planets to the Solar System at 4.37 light-years from the Sun.
For example, in about 6,200 AD, α Centauri's true motion will cause an extremely rare first-magnitude stellar conjunction with Beta Centauri, forming a brilliant optical double star in the southern sky.
Gamma Arietis
1 linksBinary star (possibly trinary) in the northern constellation of Aries.
Binary star (possibly trinary) in the northern constellation of Aries.
The double star nature of this system was discovered by Robert Hooke in 1664.
Castor (star)
3 linksSecond-brightest object in the zodiac constellation of Gemini.
Second-brightest object in the zodiac constellation of Gemini.
Appearing to the naked eye as a single star, Castor was first recorded as a double star in 1718 by James Pound, but it may have been resolved into at least two sources of light by Cassini as early as 1678.
Crux
1 linksConstellation of the southern sky that is centred on four bright stars in a cross-shaped asterism commonly known as the Southern Cross.
Constellation of the southern sky that is centred on four bright stars in a cross-shaped asterism commonly known as the Southern Cross.
γ Crucis or Gacrux is an optical double star. The primary is a red-hued giant star of magnitude 1.6, 88 light-years from Earth, and is one of the closest red giants to Earth. Its secondary component is magnitude 6.5, 264 light-years from Earth.