Analyzing the delta Sco Binary in Anticipation of a Disk-Star Collision

Abstract

A current investigation is underway into the possible collision between a circumstellar disk and the secondary star in the delta Scorpii binary system. Delta Scorpii is a prime candidate for a disk-star collision since the primary star has a circumstellar disk and the secondary star has a highly elliptical orbit with a period of approximately 10.5 years making the periastron passage very close to the primary star. The Navy Prototype Optical Interferometer (NPOI) was used to spatially resolve the two stars as well as the circumstellar disk around the primary. A revised orbit with new orbital parameters has been calculated using observations obtained between 2005 and 2010. Our results indicate periastron passage will occur on 2011-07-03.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2011
Accession Number
ADA548313

Entities

People

  • Ashley Ames
  • Christopher Tycner
  • Robert Zavala

Organizations

  • United States Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Collisions
  • Eccentric Orbits
  • Elliptical Orbits
  • Experimental Data
  • Information Operations
  • Instrumentation
  • Interferometers
  • Measuring Instruments
  • Military Research
  • Observation
  • Observatories
  • Optical Interferometers
  • Orbital Elements
  • Orbits
  • Prototypes
  • Radial Velocity

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Astronomy/Astrophysics
  • Computational Modeling and Simulation

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris