Valokäyräkaksoistähti

A valokäyräkaksoistähti, or light curve binary, is a type of binary star system where the two stars orbit each other in such a way that their combined light output varies periodically as observed from Earth. This variation in brightness, known as the light curve, is caused by the stars either eclipsing each other (an eclipsing binary) or by one or both stars having non-spherical shapes due to tidal forces, causing the amount of visible surface area to change as they rotate (a reflection or ellipsoidal binary).

The study of light curve binaries is crucial in astrophysics. By analyzing the shape, depth, and period of the light curve, astronomers can determine fundamental properties of the stars, such as their orbital period, the relative sizes of the stars, their temperatures, and even their masses. Eclipsing binaries are particularly valuable because they allow for direct determination of stellar radii, which are otherwise difficult to measure accurately. The timing of eclipses can also reveal the presence of other celestial bodies in the system, like planets, through subtle changes in the eclipse timing.

The analysis of light curves often involves sophisticated computer modeling to fit theoretical models to the observed data. Different types of light curve binaries exist, including total eclipses where one star is completely hidden by the other, and partial eclipses where only a portion of the star is obscured. The regularity of these light variations makes them excellent tools for understanding stellar evolution and the dynamics of binary star systems.