Gravitational capture is a process in which two celestial bodies, such as stars, come close enough together that their gravitational forces cause them to become bound to each other.
Binary stars can form through gravitational capture when two stars pass close enough to each other that their gravitational forces cause them to become bound in a stable orbit around each other.
The likelihood of gravitational capture depends on the mass and velocity of the two stars, as well as the distance between them. The closer the stars are and the slower their relative velocities, the more likely they are to undergo gravitational capture.
Yes, gravitational capture can occur between any two celestial bodies, such as planets, asteroids, or comets. However, it is most commonly observed between stars due to their large masses and distances from each other.
Gravitational capture can play a role in the formation of planetary systems by bringing together smaller objects, such as planetesimals, which can then continue to grow through collisions and accretion. This can ultimately lead to the formation of larger planets.