Doppler-shift observations of a spectroscopic binary star can enable astronomers to calculate ________ of its individual stars.
A)the minimum masses
B)the sizes
C)both minimum masses and sizes
D)neither minimum masses nor sizes

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Doppler-shift observations of a spectroscopic binary star primarily allow astronomers to calculate the minimum masses of its individual stars by analyzing the changes in the wavelength of light emitted from the stars as they orbit each other. This method does not directly provide the sizes of the stars.

Doppler-Shift Observations of a Spectroscopic Binary Star Can Enable Astronomers