MODULE:KNOWLEDGE-BASE■DATABASE:STELLAR-MECHANICS■CLASS:UNRESTRICTED
SIMULATION: ACTIVE
Hierarchical Triple
Binary Pair + Distant Companion
Hierarchical Triple System
Star A — Yellow-White (2.0 M☉)Star B — Blue-White (1.4 M☉)Star C — Red-Orange (1.0 M☉)
System barycenterBinary barycenter (A+B)
System Parameters
Star A mass
2.0 M☉
Star B mass
1.4 M☉
Star C mass
1.0 M☉
Binary sep.
120 AU
Outer orbit
260 AU
Period ratio
4:1
Stability Conditions
A triple system is stable when the outer body orbits at a distance roughly 3–5× the inner binary separation. This is called a hierarchical configuration.
Stars A and B form a tight binary pair, revolving around their common center of mass. From Star C's perspective, A+B behave as a single combined mass.
Star C's gravity causes the binary barycenter to wobble slightly relative to the system center. The simulation exaggerates this effect for visibility.
Instability Factors
Orbital resonance between inner and outer periods
High orbital eccentricity in either orbit
Mutual inclination exceeding ~40°
Outer separation less than 3× inner separation