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Is the Sun a Double Star?

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Observing and Measuring Visual Double Stars

Part of the book series: Patrick Moore’s Practical Astronomy Series ((PATRICKMOORE))

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Abstract

Current evidence shows that single stars are the exception rather than the rule in the volume of space centred on the Sun. Table 6.1 lists the double or multiple stars that are known to be within 5 parsecs of the Sun at the time of writing. There are 71 stars in all, of which 33 are single, 12 are double and 5 are triple. The majority (55%) of stars are therefore in double or multiple systems. In addition there are four stars which have a planet or planetary system [GJ 144 (ε Eri), GJ 678, GJ 832 and GJ 876].

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© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Argyle, B., Argyle, R.W. (2012). Is the Sun a Double Star?. In: Argyle, R.W. (eds) Observing and Measuring Visual Double Stars. Patrick Moore’s Practical Astronomy Series. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3945-5_6

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