HIPPARCOS double star recognition and processing within the FAST consortium

Abstract

The Hipparcos observations are potentially a source of discovery of new systems of double and multiple stars. Procedures have been developed to recognize in the signal parameters the multiplicity of the stellar objects. The principles applied to the recognition of double stars are presented in this paper along with statistical tests. Results based on real data indicate that about 6000 new double stars will be discovered at the mission completion. We also describe the main algorithms which allow the determination of the photometric and astrometric parameters of double stars