<p>Is there an easy way to calculate the Hill radius of a star in a binary system at different orbital radii where both stars are of the same mass and in circular orbit around one another’s centre of mass?</p>

<p>I have seen a formula for calculating Hill radii but it’s meant to address the stability of orbits around a small body which itself orbits a large one, an example of which would be the effect of the Sun's gravity on the orbit of an object around the Earth. </p>

<p>Can the same formula be used if both major bodies are of similar or the same size, for example to address the stability of planetary orbits around one star in a binary system? </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-11T07:32:15.447Z
This is an interesting question, I wonder if it might be "Does anything like the concept of a Hill surface surface exist for a pair of objects of similar mass? If so, how useful is it?"
uhoh
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2019-12-11T08:34:53.623Z
Just to clarify, are you talking about Hill radius of a planet orbiting one or both stars or hill radius of one of the stars?   Each one is a kind of interesting mathematical question, but it would be 3 answers, the the S vs P type planet's hill radius might be close enough for one answer.   
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habitability_of_binary_star_systems
userLTK
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2019-12-11T09:28:01.783Z
I'm ultimately trying to establish roughly how close two Sun / Earth analogues could be (so S type) if the stars were in a loose binary. I thought that asking about the hill radius of one of the stars would clarify the matter? I think the link might provide a clue - one fifth of the orbital radius... maybe one tenth to be on the safe side
Slarty
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2019-12-11T13:36:30.790Z
I added some of that back into your question post (some people may not read through the comments).
uhoh
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2019-12-11T23:48:28.933Z
@userLTK I think you have got it - might as well make an answer of it. I have used it here to anser another question: https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/163199/how-far-should-second-star-be-in-my-binary-system/163335#163335
Slarty
<gravity><orbital-mechanics>
How do I calculate the Hill radius of a star in a binary system?
Slarty
# How do I calculate the Hill radius of a star in a binary system?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-12-10)

Is there an easy way to calculate the Hill radius of a star in a binary system at different orbital radii where both stars are of the same mass and in circular orbit around one another’s centre of mass?

I have seen a formula for calculating Hill radii but it’s meant to address the stability of orbits around a small body which itself orbits a large one, an example of which would be the effect of the Sun's gravity on the orbit of an object around the Earth.

Can the same formula be used if both major bodies are of similar or the same size, for example to address the stability of planetary orbits around one star in a binary system?

**Tags:** gravity, orbital-mechanics

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: This is an interesting question, I wonder if it might be "Does anything like the concept of a Hill surface surface exist for a pair of objects of similar mass? If so, how useful is it?"  
> **username_2**: Just to clarify, are you talking about Hill radius of a planet orbiting one or both stars or hill radius of one of the stars?   Each one is a kind of interesting mathematical question, but it would be 3 answers, the the S vs P type planet's hill radius might be close enough for one answer.       https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habitability_of_binary_star_systems  
> **username_0**: I'm ultimately trying to establish roughly how close two Sun / Earth analogues could be (so S type) if the stars were in a loose binary. I thought that asking about the hill radius of one of the stars would clarify the matter? I think the link might provide a clue - one fifth of the orbital radius... maybe one tenth to be on the safe side  
> **username_1**: I added some of that back into your question post (some people may not read through the comments).  
> **username_0**: @username_2 I think you have got it - might as well make an answer of it. I have used it here to anser another question: https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/163199/how-far-should-second-star-be-in-my-binary-system/163335#163335  

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## 0 answers

