Binary Star Systems Twist Orbits

Two suns complicate motion.

Planets orbiting binary stars can have intricate paths due to the combined gravitational pull, producing circumbinary or S-type orbits.

Why This Matters

Studying these orbits helps astronomers understand planet formation in complex systems.

It also informs search strategies for habitable exoplanets around multiple stars.

Did You Know?

Kepler-16b is a circumbinary planet orbiting two stars.

Source

[NASA, nasa.gov]

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