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Accurate Binary Mass Determinations: Goals, Limitations, and Prospects

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 August 2017

J. Andersen*
Affiliation:
Niels Bohr Institute for Astronomy, Physics, and Geophysics Astronomical Observatory Brorfeldevej 23 DK - 4340 Tølløse, Denmark

Abstract

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The state of the art in accurate mass determination for binary stars is reviewed, and the angular sizes and their errors are computed for a typical system from the existing high-precision sample. It appears that sub-μas (microarcsecond) absolute astrometry will be needed in order to improve the accuracy substantially by astrometry alone. The types of system, and the kinds of data, where precision astrometry appears most promising are outlined. Finally, astrophysical applications of such accurate stellar masses, and the auxiliary data required in them, are briefly reviewed.

Type
2. Current and Future Needs for Very Accurate Astrometry
Copyright
Copyright © Kluwer 1995 

References

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