Binary system (astronomy)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A binary system is an astronomic term referring to two objects in space (usually stars, but also planets or asteroids) which are so close that their gravitational interaction causes them to orbit about a common center of mass. Some definitions (e.g. that of double planet, but not that of binary star) require that this center of mass is not located within the interior of either object. A multiple system is like a binary system but consists of three or more objects.