Simulating the Effects of 3rd-Body Interactions on Orbits of Binary Systems
Level of Education of Students Involved
Undergraduate
Faculty Sponsor
Todd Hillwig
College
Arts and Sciences
Discipline(s)
Physics and Astronomy
ORCID Identifier(s)
0000-0001-9662-4894
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Symposium Date
Spring 4-25-2024
Abstract
Some of the most beautiful objects in our universe are known as planetary nebulae. These occur as a result of dying stars ejecting their outer layers with their remaining hot core ionizing the newly ejected mass causing it to glow. At the center of these planetary nebulae may lie a binary system in which a companion star orbits the remaining hot core, or central star. This configuration is often attributed as the cause of bipolar or quadrupole morphologies of planetary nebulae, in which the shape resembles that of an hourglass. Recently, a study of planetary nebulae in the galactic bulge, or the innermost region of the galaxy, has found that a statistically significant proportion of binary central stars are orbiting each other perpendicular to the rotation of the galaxy. There is currently no known reason for this alignment. One of the causes for these unexpected orbit orientations may be due to gravitational interactions that take place before the planetary nebulae form, while they are still stars like our Sun. To test the validity of this theory, I have created a simulation in which a third star passes a binary system, inducing a gravitational interaction, and recording how the orientation in the orbit of the binary systems is affected. The results of these simulations will be presented.
Recommended Citation
Burbridge, Brook and Hillwig, Todd, "Simulating the Effects of 3rd-Body Interactions on Orbits of Binary Systems" (2024). Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 1276.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/cus/1276
Biographical Information about Author(s)
Brook Burbridge is a senior majoring in Astronomy and Mathematics and minoring in Art at Valparaiso University and will be graduating this May. She has a love of doing research within the field of astrophysics and applying her knowledge of programming to create simulations such as the one shown in this research project. After graduating, she will be attending the University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne to pursue a PhD in physics.