Eclipsing Binary Stars model simulates the detection of eclipsing binary stars. In this method, the light curve from the combination of the two stars, and how it changes over time due to each star transiting (or being occulted or eclipsing the other), is observed and then analyzed. In this simulation each star orbits the other in circular motion via Kepler's third law.  When one star passes in front of the other (transits), it blocks part of the starlight of the other star. This decrease in starlight is shown on the graph.  In the simulation the binary star system is shown as seen from Earth (edge on view) and from overhead, but magnified greatly, and with the star sizes not shown to the scale of the orbit. The mass, radius, and temperature of each star can be changed.

The simulation uses either simple 3D or Java 3D (if installed) to render the view the stars. If Java 3D is not installed, the simulation defaults to simple 3D using Java.

The Eclipsing Binary Stars model was created using the Easy Java Simulations (EJS) modeling tool.  It is distributed as a ready-to-run (compiled) Java archive.  Double clicking the ejs_astronomy_eclipsing_binaries.jar file will run the program if Java is installed.

Please note that this resource requires at least version 1.5 of Java (JRE).

Please note that this resource requires Java3D.