Ebook: The Influence of Binaries on Stellar Population Studies
- Tags: Astrophysics and Astroparticles, Astronomy Observations and Techniques
- Series: Astrophysics and Space Science Library 264
- Year: 2001
- Publisher: Springer Netherlands
- Edition: 1
- Language: English
- pdf
A star in a binary may interact with its companion and this complicates significantly its structure and evolution. During several decades in the past many astronomers hoped that the number of binaries is small. This is sometimes reflected in theoretical studies dealing with large populations of stars where it is ASSUMED (without any justification) that binaries do not alter the results. The number of confirmed binaries increases as observations improve and we there fore thought that the time was right to organize a meeting where the main topic would be the effect of binaries on stellar population studies. The SOC proposed a program with extended general overviews and highlights of non-evolved and evolved binaries, with low mass, intermediate mass and massive components, the link with supernova explosions, pulsars and gamma-ray bursts, the effect of binaries on the chemical evo lution of galaxies. Specialists in the different research fields were invited and have given very interesting and highly educational talks. As can be noticed by reading the proceedings, the authors have put a lot of effort in preparing their contribution.
The book reviews recent observations of non-evolved and evolved binary populations in clusters and the field with special emphasis on statistical biases, incompleteness and distribution functions. Different binary types are considered: cataclysmic variables, super-soft X-ray sources, double degenerate binaries, Algol-type binaries, Be binaries, X-ray binaries, and Wolf-Rayet binaries.
The observational part ends with a discussion on stellar winds in massive stars, on new results of massive starbursts and on the characteristics and the rates of the different types of supernovae.
Population synthesis relies on stellar evolution. Recent results on single star and binary evolution are presented. We then compare theoretical models of population synthesis to observations. Much attention is given at population dynamics, spectral synthesis of starbursts, number synthesis of the binaries and supernova rates discussed in the first part of this book.
Finally, the book highlights the possible effects of binaries on galactic chemical evolution.