Astronomers Had it Wrong: Most Stars are Single

space.com ^ | 01/30/06 | Ker Than

[KevinDavis]

For more than 200 years, astronomers thought that most of the stars in our galaxy had stellar companions. But a new study suggests the bulk of them are born alone and never have stellar company.

Since planets are believed to be easier to form around single stars, the discovery could mean planets are more common as well.

Conventional wisdom on double star systems, called binaries, goes as far back as the late 1700s. More sophisticated observations made in the 20th century seemed to confirm the numerical dominance of pairs.

Stellar surveys found that more than half of all Sun-like stars were part of multiple systems. For more massive stars, like O- and B-type stars, the number was estimated to be as high as 80 percent.

[Tanniker Smith]

Stars are single? Didn't I just read that some star or other is marrying some other star he dallied and had a baby with a year ago?

Or are they talking about the divorced stars as if they're single?

[Tanniker Smith]

There are many who believe that life here began out there . . .

[Tanniker Smith]

ACK!!! Stinkin' undead threads. I just made the same joke that I made 10 months ago. I hit this thread thinking it was new!!! ACK!!

[KevinDavis]

Who knows..