The accretion activity of young binaries with low-mass (q = M2/M1 ≤ 0.1) secondary components is studied. The source of accreted matter is a common disk surrounding the binary system and coplanar with its orbit. Gas dynamic models of these systems are used to calculate the rates of accretion to the components and their dependence on the phase of the orbital period is studied. It is shown that, despite its low mass, the secondary accretes matter at a relatively higher rate than the primary. This result can be regarded as an extension of the work of Artymowicz and Lubow for young binaries with components that have unequal masses. Possible astrophysical applications of the theory are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)565-570
Number of pages6
JournalAstrophysics
Volume52
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2009

    Research areas

  • Accretion activity, Binaries, Stars

    Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics

ID: 94275779