The mass function in spectroscopic binaries

Abstract

The distribution of the mass function of bright spectroscopic binaries is studied for systems with dwarf and with giant primaries. It is found that the distribution is very similar in both cases. Assuming that the inclination has a random distribution and postulating different distribution functions for the mass ratio, it is found that the distribution of the mass function depends only weakly upon the distribution function of the mass ratio. Apparently a distribution law f f(μ) = μ^(-7/3) reproduces well the observed statistics, provided that μ varies between 1 and 0.25. These results are in agreement with those found by C. Jaschek in Publ. Obs. Geneve, N* 24 (1971). The paper in full will be published elsewhere.