Binary evolution: Roche lobe overflow

Natasha Ivanova (University of Alberta, Canada)
 

In this chapter, I review how blue straggler stars can be created in a result of a binary evolution, followed to 
Roche lobe overflow (RLOF). Different modes of RLOF mass transfer will be considered in details: their 
timescales, reasons and outcomes. Specific attention will be given to conditions that separate system 
evolving via stable mass transfer and unstable mass transfer (common envelope event) as this can lead to a 
formation of different blue straggler star populations.