For both visual and spectroscopic methods, what ultimately dictates the precision of the final calculated stellar mass?
Answer
The precision with which the orbital period ($P$), the semi-major axis ($a$), or the radial velocity ($v$) can be measured.
The precision of the final mass calculation is fundamentally limited by the precision achieved in measuring the core observational parameters: the orbital period, the physical separation, or the line-of-sight velocity.
Related Questions
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