Abstract
In this paper, an efficient algorithm is established for computing the maximum (minimum) angular separation rho(max)(rho(min)), the corresponding apparent position angles (theta vertical bar(rho max), theta vertical bar(rho min)) and the individual masses of visual binary systems. The algorithm uses Reed's formulae (1984) for the masses, and a technique of one-dimensional unconstrained minimization, together with the solution of Kepler's equation for ((rho max) theta vertical bar(rho max)) and (rho(min), theta vertical bar rho(min)). Iterative schemes of quadratic coverage up to any positive integer order are developed for the solution of Kepler's equation. A sample of 110 systems is selected from the Sixth Catalog of Orbits (Hartkopf et al. 2001). Numerical studies are included and some important results are as follows: (1) there is no dependence between rho(max) and the spectral type and (2) a minor modification of Giannuzzi's (1989) formula for the upper limits of rho(max) functions of spectral type of the primary.