Two stars in a binary system are orbiting at a separation of 1 AU. The ratio of the masses is M1/M2 = 2. What is the semi-major axis of the orbit of the less massive star, in AU?
Added by Hannah S.
Step 1
We know that the center of mass of the binary system lies along the line connecting the two stars. Let's call the distance from the center of mass to the more massive star as $r_1$ and the distance from the center of mass to the less massive star as $r_2$. Show more…
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