What Are Contact Binary Stars?

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Welcome, my name is Phil, and in this video I discuss what contact binary stars are.

Binary stars are systems of two stars that orbit a common centre of mass. There are a few different types, with some extreme versions being responsible for Type 1a supernovas and a small group of stars that appear to beat like a heart.

However, contact binary stars orbit so close to each other that they are touching, or share the same outer envelope. They do not form like this but migrate towards each other over time. Eventually the stars will spiral in and collide and likely result in a nova or supernova.