# Determining masses from radial velocity curves of eclipsing binaries

Is the statement

From radial velocities or astrometry for eclipsing binaries, one obtains masses.

wrong, because only minimal masses can be obtained?

• What is the source of the statement, please. Aug 30 at 6:39
• "one obtains masses" is a very vague statement. It can also refer to minimal masses I guess. Aug 30 at 6:56
• Thus, 'From RVs or astrometry for eclipsing binaries, one obtains minimal masses.' is correct? Aug 30 at 7:18
• Radial velocities Aug 30 at 7:25
• I find it difficult to judge the absolute truth of such short and out of context statements that you are asking also in other questions. I really think it could help if you provided more context. In this case the statement may be correct because if the binaries are eclipsing then the $\sin i$ degeneracy is broken and one can obtain the true masses Aug 30 at 8:17

The radial velocity curves can then give $$M_{1,2}\sin(i)$$ and hence the component masses.