In star systems with multiple stars, can you have different ‘solar systems’ for each star or each pair of stars?

Question

I’ve been watching some youtube videos on multiple star systems, and I’m very confused as to whether each of the stars can have their planets.

If two of the stars are in a binary configeration for example, I think they would have their own ‘planets’ together, however I don’t know if a third star separate to the first two would have it’s own stable system.

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In: 2

Answer 1

If the two stars are a close binary, a planet can orbit them both collectively at a great distance.

If the two stars are orbiting far apart, it’s possible for planets to orbit just one of the pair much more closely.

What orbits are stable depends on the relative size of the stars and their distance. Some binaries are practically kissing and others orbit at such a distance that they’d just be the brightest star in the night sky.