Observations of Binary Protostellar Systems

Abstract

A major gap in our understanding of star formation concerns the origins of binary stars although there is growing evidence that most stars form in binary and multiple systems. While some theoretical predictions of fragmentation models are indirectly supported by statistical studies of evolved binary stars at shorter wavelengths, direct observations of the formation phase became only possible with the advance of large millimeter interferometers. Molecular line spectroscopy and dust continuum observations at high angular resolution can address some of the key questions in binary star formation theories. Observing methods and results of recent studies of binary protostellar systems are reviewed in this paper.