The Digital Press

Astronomers compiled a large catalog of binary star systems containing a white dwarf and a main-sequence star using data from Gaia DR3. This catalog helps study the evolution of such binaries and includes detailed stellar parameters and eclipsing systems.

Why it matters: The catalog expands the sample of known WDMS binaries, crucial for understanding binary star evolution.

The big picture: The study improves modeling of binary populations by comparing observed data with synthetic Galactic samples.

Stunning stat: The catalog contains 1312 WDMS binaries, with stellar parameters derived for 435 and 67 identified eclipsing systems.

The stakes: Sample incompleteness and observational biases limit full understanding but still provide a valuable, well-characterized dataset.