- #1
knowlewj01
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Homework Statement
A binary star is resolved on the sky, the orbit is circular, it has a period of 30 years and the semi-minor and semi-major axes are observed to be 0.5 and 4 arcseconds respectively. If the distance to the system is 10pc, what are the masses of the stars? give an answer in solar masses.
Homework Equations
i guess this one has to be used:
M1+M2=[tex]\frac{4\pi^2a^3}{GP^2}[/tex]
also this one to eliminate one of the M's
M1r1=M2r2
The Attempt at a Solution
got as far as drawing a diagram but I don't know what the semi major and minor axes correspond to, are they the radii of the circular orbits of the separate stars about the centre of mass? any help would be good. Cheers.