Analytical approximation to the dynamics of a binary stars system with time depending mass variation

TL;DR

This paper analyzes how the orbital period of a binary star system changes when one star's mass varies over time, showing that mass loss increases the period while mass gain decreases it.

Contribution

It provides an analytical approximation for the dynamics of binary stars with time-dependent mass transfer, a novel approach in this context.

Findings

Mass loss leads to increased orbital period

Mass gain results in decreased orbital period

Derived general relation between mass variation and period change

Abstract

We study the classical dynamics of a binary stars when there is an interchange of mass between them. Assuming that one of the star is more massive than the other, the dynamics of the lighter one is analyzed as a function of its time depending mass variation. Within our approximations and models for mass transference, we obtain a general result which establishes that if the lightest star looses mass, its period increases. If the lightest star win mass, its period decreases.