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| Paper: |
The Formation and Evolution of Massive Binaries |
| Volume: |
465, Four Decades of Massive Star Research - A Scientific Meeting in Honor of Anthony J. Moffat |
| Page: |
451 |
| Authors: |
Kratter, K. M. |
| Abstract: |
A large fraction of all stars are formed in binary and multiple stellar systems, unlike our own singleton sun. The most massive stars in our galaxy are overwhelmingly found in pairs or higher order multiples. In this proceedings, I give a possible explanation for the frequent binarity of massive stars: the accretion disks that feed massive protostars are prone to fragmentation due to gravitational instability. The propensity of these disks to fragment may also explain the upper mass to which they grow. Next, I will examine the long term stability of higher order multiple systems. As stars evolve, they lose mass, triggering orbital instabilities. Once the systems become unstable, the orbits become chaotic. This chaos leads to frequent collisions and ejections, which may lead to the formation of an array of exotic compact binary systems. |
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