Viewing Your Binary Stars

When you buy a binary star system gift package as your unique Valentine’s Day gift to a loved one, take the time to learn more about these unique celestial objects. Name a Star Live’s Virtual Planetarium™ is a great place to begin any research. Though, you can start by understanding the different types of binary stars.

Binary stars are classified into four distinct sorts, and some can share characteristics across different types. For example, many visual binaries can be eclipsing binaries.

Some binary stars are visual binaries. Astronomers viewing visual binaries through a telescope can often discern the two distinct bodies.

There are also spectroscopic binaries. Spectroscopic binaries are very close together and they feature a high orbital velocity.

An eclipsing binary star is a binary star that features mutual eclipses when observed. These occur when the gazer’s line of sight aligns with the stars’ orbits.

Astrometric binaries seemingly “wobble” alone when observed. Astronomers believe these stars are aligned with an unobservable companion.