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The Frequency Distribution of Semimajor Axes of Wide Binaries: Cosmogony and Dynamical Evolution

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 July 2007

Arcadio Poveda ,
Christine Allen  and
A. Hernández-Alcántara
Arcadio Poveda
Affiliation:
Instituto de Astronomía, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria 04510MéxicoD.F. email: [email protected]
Christine Allen
Affiliation:
Instituto de Astronomía, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria 04510MéxicoD.F. email: [email protected]
A. Hernández-Alcántara
Affiliation:
Instituto de Astronomía, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria 04510MéxicoD.F. email: [email protected]
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Abstract

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The frequency distribution f(a) of semimajor axes of double and multiple systems, and their eccentricities and mass ratios, contain valuable fossil information about the process of star formation and the dynamical history of the systems. In order to advance in the understanding of these questions, we made an extensive analysis of the frequency distribution f(a) for wide binaries (a > 25 AU) in various published catalogues, as well as in our own (Poveda et al 1994; Allen et al 2000; (Poveda & Hernández–Alcántara 2003). Based upon all these studies we have established that the frequency distribution f(a) is a function of the age of the system and follows Öpik's distribution f(a) ∼ 1/a in the range of 100 AU < a < ac(t), where ac (t) are the critical semimajor axes beyond which binaries have been dissociated by encounters with massive objects. We argue that the physics behind the distribution f(a) ∼ 1/a is a process of energy relaxation, analogous to those present in stellar clusters (secular relaxation) or in the early stages of spherical galaxies (violent relaxation). The existence of runaway stars indicates that both types of relaxation are important in the process of binary and multiple star dynamical evolution.

Keywords

binaries: wideGalaxy: kinematics and dynamicsstars: proper motions
Type
Contributed Papers
Information
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 2 , Symposium S240: Binary Stars as Critical Tools & Tests in Contemporary Astrophysics , August 2006 , pp. 417 - 425
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2007

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