Sign on

SAO/NASA ADS Astronomy Abstract Service

· Find Similar Abstracts (with default settings below)
· Electronic Refereed Journal Article (HTML)
· arXiv e-print (arXiv:0909.2861)
· References in the article
· Citations to the Article (24) (Citation History)
· Refereed Citations to the Article
· SIMBAD Objects (1)
· Also-Read Articles (Reads History)
·
· Translate This Page
Title:
Misaligned spin and orbital axes cause the anomalous precession of DIHerculis
Authors:
Albrecht, Simon; Reffert, Sabine; Snellen, Ignas A. G.; Winn, Joshua N.
Affiliation:
AA(Leiden Observatory, Leiden University, Postbus 9513, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands), AB(Zentrum für Astronomie Heidelberg, Landessternwarte, Königstuhl 12, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany), AC(Leiden Observatory, Leiden University, Postbus 9513, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands), AD(Department of Physics, and Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA)
Publication:
Nature, Volume 461, Issue 7262, pp. 373-376 (2009). (Nature Homepage)
Publication Date:
09/2009
Origin:
NATURE
DOI:
10.1038/nature08408
Bibliographic Code:
2009Natur.461..373A

Abstract

The orbits of binary stars precess as a result of general relativistic effects, forces arising from the asphericity of the stars, and forces from any additional stars or planets in the system. For most binaries, the theoretical and observed precession rates are in agreement. One system, however-DI Herculis-has resisted explanation for 30years. The observed precession rate is a factor of four slower than the theoretical rate, a disagreement that once was interpreted as evidence for a failure of general relativity. Among the contemporary explanations are the existence of a circumbinary planet and a large tilt of the stellar spin axes with respect to the orbit. Here we report that both stars of DI Herculis rotate with their spin axes nearly perpendicular to the orbital axis (contrary to the usual assumption for close binary stars). The rotationally induced stellar oblateness causes precession in the direction opposite to that of relativistic precession, thereby reconciling the theoretical and observed rates.
Bibtex entry for this abstract   Preferred format for this abstract (see Preferences)
   

Find Similar Abstracts:

Use: Authors
Title
Abstract Text
Return: Query Results Return    items starting with number
Query Form
Database: Astronomy
Physics
arXiv e-prints