RUI: Radial Velocity Studies and Absolute Parameters of Stellar Contact Binary Systems

现在人们认识到，我们银河系中超过50%的恒星是双星系统。其中一些双星是接触双星，这意味着它们的大气层是接触的，两颗恒星相互作用很强(潮汐相互作用，质量转移)。在这项本科生机构研究(RUI)中，首席研究人员建议观察相对均匀的接触双星样本，目的是确定1.它们的质量比、半径和亮度，以及2.检验这些系统起源和演化的现有理论。

It is now recognized that more than 50% of the stars in our Galaxy are in binary systems. Some of these binary stars are contact binaries, meaning that their atmospheres are in contact and that the two stars interact strongly (tidal interactions, mass transfer). The Principal Investigator proposes in this Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) proposal to observe a relatively homogenous sample of contact binaries with the aim of determining 1. their masses ratios, radii, and luminosities and 2. testing current theories of the origin and evolution of these systems.