Computational Algorithm for Orbit and Mass Determination of Visual Binaries

TL;DR

This paper presents an exact, optimization-based algorithm for determining orbital elements and masses of visual binary stars, improving accuracy in orbital and mass calculations using existing methods.

Contribution

It introduces a novel algorithm that minimizes an exact objective function for orbital and mass determination, applicable to established methods like Kowalsky's and Reed's.

Findings

Successfully applied to A 1145 and ADS 15182 binaries

Provides more precise orbital and mass estimates

Enhances existing orbital computation methods

Abstract

In this paper we introduce an algorithm for determining the orbital elements and individual masses of visual binaries. The algorithm uses an optimal point, which minimizes a specific function describing the average length between the least-squares solution and the exact solution. The objective function to be minimized is exact, without any approximation. The algorithm is applied to Kowalsky's method for orbital parameter computation, and to Reed's method for the determination of the dynamical parallax and individual masses. The procedure is applied to A 1145 and ADS 15182.