Statistical modeling and analysis of wide binary star systems

Abstract

Post-main-sequence (MS) mass loss causes orbital separation amplification in fragile (i.e. common proper motion) binary star systems. Components typically have separations around 1000 AU. Such wide pairs experience negligible tidal interactions and mass transfer between companions; thus they evolve as two separate but coeval stars. In this paper we compute the rate of mass loss during the components' lifetimes and attempt to model how it will statistically distort a frequency distribution of fragile binary separations. Understanding this process provides a robust test of current theories of stellar evolution and sets constraints on the dynamics of the Galactic disk. © 2007 International Astronomical Union.