The classical idea of star formation states that stars form individually from spherically-symmetric isolated prestellar cores. Yet, observations show that stars and planets form from disturbed dynamic environments. Systems with two or more interacting stars are common, as well as protostellar binaries, circumbinary disks, and brief stellar encounters commonly referred to as flybys. Observations provide information about a single moment in time of a dynamic process, yet linking the observed structures to a system's evolution is essential to guide and confirm theoretical predictions. Here we explore the information provided by the polarization state of the observed light from several interacting systems and what this data can tell us about the geometry and dust contents of interacting systems. This work is part of an effort to learn more about how planets form in systems rich in interactions with partner stars.
[Poster PDF File]