An eclipsing binary system consists of
A) two stars orbiting each other in which periodic spectral line shifts due to Doppler shift are measured.
B) two stars that are clearly resolved as separate but orbiting each other and obviously gravitationally bound to each other.
C) a star that is periodically eclipsed by the Moon.
D) two stars whose combined light output toward Earth varies regularly as one star periodically moves in front of the other.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An eclipsing binary system is characterized by two stars whose orbits cause them to pass in front of each other relative to the observer's line of sight, leading to periodic variations in the system's combined light as seen from Earth. This results in one star periodically eclipsing the other.

An Eclipsing Binary System Consists of