The world of binary stars
I have been giving a 48h Master-level course on Binary Star Evolution.
This is a comprehensive astrophysics course on the evolution of binary star systems, detailing the complex interactions between paired stars. The curriculum covers fundamental concepts such as Roche lobe overflow, orbital dynamics, and the transition between stable and unstable mass transfer. Students explore diverse stellar phenomena, including cataclysmic variables, novae, and the formation of planetary nebulae through common envelope phases. The sources also examine high-energy systems like X-ray binaries, pulsars, and black holes, emphasising how accretion processes power these objects. Beyond theoretical physics, the curse provide practical instruction on using the MESA software for stellar modeling and outline requirements for student research presentations. Technical discussions highlight the roles of magnetic braking, tidal effects, and angular momentum in shaping the long-term fate of these double-star systems. The course also covers the observational techniques to discover and study binary stars, including more unknown effects such as Doppler beaming or self-lensing.
Feel free to reach out if you would like me to give this course in your university.