You discover a binary star system in which one member is a 15 solar mass main-sequence star and the other star is a 10 solar mass giant star. Why should you be surprised, at least at first?
A) It doesn't make sense to find a giant in a binary star system.
B) The odds of ever finding two such massive stars in the same binary system are so small as to make it inconceivable.
C) The two stars in a binary system should both be at the same point in stellar evolution; that is, they should either both be main-sequence stars or both be giants.
D) The two stars should be the same age, so the more massive one should have become a giant first.
E) A star with a mass of 15 solar masses is too big to be a main-sequence star.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In a binary system, both stars typically form at the same time. The more massive star evolves faster, so it should become a giant before the less massive star.

You Discover a Binary Star System in Which One Member