An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics · Problem 7.1

The Classification of Stellar Spectra — Carroll & Ostlie

Physics — Astrophysics · binary-systems-reduced-mass

Problem

Consider two stars in orbit about a mutual center of mass. If a1a_1 is the semimajor axis of the orbit of star of mass m1m_1 and a2a_2 is the semimajor axis of the orbit of star of mass m2m_2, prove that the semimajor axis of the orbit of the reduced mass is given by a=a1+a2a = a_1 + a_2. Hint: Review the discussion of Section 2.3 and recall that r=r2−r1\mathbf{r} = \mathbf{r}_2 - \mathbf{r}_1.

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