binary star

Other forms: binary stars

Definitions of binary star

1. noun

   a system of two stars that revolve around each other under their mutual gravitation
   synonyms: binary, double star

   examples:

   Aldebaran

   the brightest star in Taurus

   Algol

   the second brightest star in Perseus; the first known eclipsing binary

   Alpha Centauri

   brightest star in Centaurus; second nearest star to the sun

   Altair

   double star 15.7 light years from Earth; the brightest star in the Aquila constellation

   Antares

   the brightest star in Scorpius

   Epsilon Aurigae

   the largest known star

   Procyon

   the brightest star in Canis Minor

   Beta Orionis

   the brightest star in Orion

   Canicula

   the brightest star in the sky; in Canis Major

   Vega

   the brightest star in the constellation Lyra

   type of:

   star

   (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior