The Evolution of Near-Circular Orbits of Close Eclipsing Binary Stars Induced by a Temporal Variation of the Gravitational Constant

This paper examines the influence of a temporal variation of the Gravitational Constant (G)on the evolution of near-circular orbits of close eclipsing binary stars. The theoretical results show that (1)if the G really varies the radii and periods of the orbits decrease in linear forms with time instead of any periodic-change form,and (2)the shape of a near-circular orbit changes due to a temporal variation of the G with the change described by a periodic term and a mixed secular term (Poisson's term).The upper and lower limits of the secular evolution rates due to a variation of the G are estimated for the radii and periods of the circular orbits of five close eclipsing binary star systems. In addition, these results are compared to effects on the orbits from other physical factors.