Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 April 2016
Over the past 16 years at the McDonald Observatory and the Kitt Peak National Observatory, I have obtained high-dispersion spectroscopic observations of roughly 3 dozen multiple systems and 7 speckle or astrometric binaries. The current status of this obviously long-term project is discussed. Although some systems have periods of about 50 to 85 years, most have periods in the range of 1 to 20 years. Thus, many now have been observed for at least one cycle and preliminary spectroscopic orbital elements have been determined. For a number of the systems fundamental data such as the distance to the system, as well as the individual spectral types, absolute magnitudes, and masses can be obtained if accurate visual/speckle orbital elements also are known. These elements and the derived fundamental parameters may be used as constraints on multiple-star formation theory.
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