Arthur Beer

The masses of spectroscopic binaries

Abstract The problems involved in the determination of masses of the components of spectroscopic binaries are discussed. Attention is paid both to methods which yield individual masses, and to statistical methods applicable where individual masses cannot be calculated because only one spectrum is observed or because the orbital inclination is unknown. Compilations and reductions have been made of some 1200 stars (the majority of which have not previously been considered for mass-determination, since the data were insufficient to furnish individual values), and a programme is outlined for their statistical use in the investigation of their relation with luminosity, radius, and other stellar parameters.