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ABSTRACT: We explore the possibility that all close binaries, i.e. those with periods < 3 days, including contact binaries, are produced from initially wider binaries by the action of a triple companion through the medium of Kozai Cycles with Tidal Friction (KCTF).
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union 08/2007; 3:267 - 268.
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ABSTRACT: When three point masses form a hierarchical triple system, the short-period orbit can be severely modified by the long-period orbit if the two orbits are inclined to each other by more than about 39^deg (sin-1Ö{2/5}\sin^{-1}\sqrt{2/5}). Such an inclination can induce ‘Kozai cycles’ (Kozai, 1962), in which the eccentricity of the inner orbit cycles by a large amount while its period and therefore semimajor axis remains roughly constant. During those periastra when the eccentricity is largest, tidal friction may become important, and this can result in a secular shrinkage of the orbit, until it becomes circularised at a period of a few days.However, apsidal motion due to either GR or to the quadrupolar distortion of the components (if they are no longer treated as point masses) can reduce the range of eccentricity. We explore the limits on outer and inner orbital period that these perturbations imply.If the components are F/G/K/M dwarfs, then rotationally-driven dynamo activity can become important at the short periods that can occur in the right circumstances. It can cause the period to shorten further. The result may be a contact binary, and/or a merger in which the two stars of the inner pair coalesce to form a single rapidly rotating star. We suggest that this may be the origin of AB Dor, a very rapidly rotating K dwarf that is probably about 50 Myr old.
Astrophysics and Space Science 07/2006; 304(1):75-79. · 1.69 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We consider the evolution of certain low-mass binaries, incorporating models of (a) internal evolution, (b) tidal friction,
(c) dynamo activity driven by an elementary α,Ω dynamo, (d) stellar wind driven by the activity, and (e) magnetic braking
as a consequence of wind and poloidal dynamo-generated magnetic field. In some circumstances the stellar wind is found to
remove mass on a nuclear timescale, as is necessary to explain some observed systems.
We can hope that various uncertainties in the model may be clarified by a careful comparison of the models with such observed
quantities as rotation periods. These are modified by processes (a), (b) and (e). Assuming that stellar evolution is slow,
rotation rate should in some circumstances represent a balance between magnetic braking trying to slow the star down and tidal
friction trying to spin it up. Preliminary attempts are promising, but indicate that some fine tuning is necessary.
When there is a third body present, in an orbit which is inclined but not necessarily of short period, the eccentricity of
a close binary can be strongly modified by ‘Kozai cycles’. We show that this may complicate attempts to account for spin rates
of stars in close binaries.
Astrophysics and Space Science 03/2005; 296(1):327-336. · 1.69 Impact Factor
