Masses and other parameters of massive binaries

Abstract

Binary stars provide us with the means to measure stellar mass. Here I present several lists of known O-type stars with reliable mass estimates that are members of eclipsing, double-lined spectroscopic binaries. The masses of young, unevolved stars in binaries are suitable for testing the predictions of evolutionary codes, and there is good agreement between the observed and predicted masses (based upon temperature and luminosity) if the lower temperature scale from line-blanketed model atmospheres is adopted. A final table lists masses for systems in a wide variety of advanced evolutionary stages.