Dynamics of Close Binary Systems (Astrophysics and Space Science Library, 68)

The aim of the present book will be to provide a comprehensive account of our present knowledge of the theory of dynamical phenomena exhibited by elose binary systems; and on the basis of such phenomena as have been attested by available observations to outline probable evolutionary trends of such systems in the course of time. The evolution of the stars - motivated by nuelear as weIl as gravitation al energy sources - constitutes nowadays a well-established branch of stellar astronomy. No theo­ ries of such an evolution are as yet sufficently specific - let alone infallible - not to require continual tests by a confrontation of their consequences with the observed prop­ erties of actual stars at different stages of their evolution. The discriminating power of such tests depends, of course, on the range of information offered by the test objects. Single stars which move alone in space are now known to represent only a minority of objects constituting our Galaxy (cf. Chapter 1-2); and are, moreover, not very revealing of their basic physical characteristics - such as their masses or absolute dimensions. If there were no binary systems in the sky, the only star whose vital statistics would be fully known to us would be our Sun. Front Matter....Pages i-xiii Binary Stars in the Sky....Pages 1-17 Figures of Equilibrium....Pages 18-79 Dynamical Tides....Pages 80-137 Generalized Rotation....Pages 138-200 Dynamics of Close Binaries....Pages 201-311 The Roche Model....Pages 312-360 Stability of the Components of Close Binary Systems....Pages 361-389 Origin and Evolution of Binary Systems....Pages 390-490 Back Matter....Pages 491-513