Binary and Multi-Star Systems

A binary is a pair of stars that orbit each other. A multi-star system consists of three or more stars. The stars in a binary or a multi-star system all formed from a single cloud of gas and dust, so they are true "siblings."

Radio Programs

Northern Crown Crowning the night sky Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Moon and Spica Neighbors that stir things up Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Moon and Regulus Putting the squeeze on a star Saturday, March 23, 2013
Cracking Up A neutron star cracks up Friday, March 22, 2013
Four Suns A world with four suns in the sky Friday, March 8, 2013
Ringing Beat The beat of vibrating stars Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Moon and Antares Two stars with different fates Sunday, March 3, 2013
Moon and Regulus A different kind of star system Sunday, February 24, 2013
Procyon A pair of stellar light bulbs Friday, February 22, 2013
Castor Three sets of stellar twins Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Moon and Spica Giant tides on giant stars Friday, January 4, 2013
Capella Bright stars with a bright future Thursday, December 6, 2012
Venus and Spica A star that’s more than meets the eye Saturday, November 17, 2012
Triangulum Aging stars in the triangle Saturday, November 3, 2012
Halloween Star II A stellar cannibal for Halloween Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Halloween Star A two-headed stellar demon Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Tiny Black Hole A record-setting black hole Friday, October 26, 2012
Faint Triplets A faint set of stellar triplets Sunday, October 7, 2012
Gamma Cephei The top of the king’s starry house Sunday, September 2, 2012
Contact Binaries III A star system with a lot of variety Friday, August 17, 2012
Contact Binaries II Stirring up the family dynamics Thursday, August 16, 2012
Contact Binaries Stars that can’t let go Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Cygnus X-1 A giant star vanishes from view Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Colorful Beak The swan’s colorful beak Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Featured Images

Illustration depicts the contact binary system W Ursae Majoris
 Two-for-One Offer Wednesday, August 15, 2012

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©2013 The University of Texas McDonald Observatory