TIC 290061484: A Triply Eclipsing Quadruple Star System with the Shortest Known Outer Period of 24.5 Days

المفاهيم الأساسية

TIC 290061484 is a triply eclipsing quadruple star system with the shortest known outer period of only 24.5 days, significantly shorter than the previous record holder.

الملخص

The content describes the discovery and analysis of TIC 290061484, a remarkable triply eclipsing quadruple star system. Key highlights:

TIC 290061484 has the shortest known outer period of just 24.5 days, significantly shorter than the previous record holder at 33.02 days.
The system consists of an inner binary with a 1.8-day period, a tertiary star that eclipses and is eclipsed by the inner binary, and a fourth distant companion star.
Detailed photodynamical modeling of the TESS light curve, eclipse timing variations, and spectral energy distribution reveals the system parameters in detail:

The inner binary has component masses of 6.85 and 6.11 solar masses.
The tertiary star has a mass of 7.90 solar masses.
The distant fourth star has a mass comparable to the inner triple and an orbital period of ~3,200 days.

In about 20 million years, the inner triple system will merge and undergo a supernova explosion, leaving behind a single neutron star remnant.
TIC 290061484 is the most compact triply eclipsing triple system known to date.

الإحصائيات

"The inner binary has an orbital period of 1.792 days."
"The outer orbital period is 24.5 days, the shortest known for a triply eclipsing triple system."
"The three stars have masses of 6.85 M⊙, 6.11 M⊙, and 7.90 M⊙."
"The distant fourth star has a period of ~3,200 days and a mass comparable to the inner triple."

اقتباسات

"TIC 290061484 is the most compact triply eclipsing triple system, and one of the tighter known compact triples (i.e., Pout/Pin = 13.7)."
"Remarkably, the model shows that the triple is in fact a subsystem of a hierarchical 2+1+1 quadruple with a distant fourth star."
"In ∼20 Myr, all three components of the triple subsystem will merge, undergo a type II supernova explosion, and leave a single remnant neutron star."

الرؤى الأساسية المستخلصة من

TIC 290061484: A Triply Eclipsing Triple System with the Shortest Known Outer Period of 24.5 Days

by Veselin B. K... في arxiv.org 10-03-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2410.01711.pdf

استفسارات أعمق

What are the implications of TIC 290061484 being part of a hierarchical quadruple system for our understanding of stellar formation and evolution?

The discovery of TIC 290061484 as part of a hierarchical quadruple system has significant implications for our understanding of stellar formation and evolution. Hierarchical systems, where multiple stars are gravitationally bound in a structured manner, suggest that star formation can occur in complex environments where interactions between stars are common. This challenges the traditional view of isolated star formation and indicates that stars often form in clusters or groups, leading to intricate dynamical interactions.
The presence of a distant fourth star in TIC 290061484, which orbits the inner triple system, highlights the potential for multiple formation pathways. It suggests that the dynamics of star formation can lead to the creation of tightly bound systems that evolve over time, potentially merging or interacting in ways that influence their evolutionary paths. The hierarchical nature of such systems can also affect the stability and longevity of the stars involved, as gravitational interactions can lead to mass transfer, angular momentum exchange, and even the eventual merging of stars, which may result in phenomena such as supernovae or the formation of neutron stars.
Furthermore, the short outer period of TIC 290061484 (24.5 days) indicates that the stars are in close proximity, which can enhance interactions and lead to observable effects such as eclipse timing variations. This provides a unique opportunity to study the physical properties and evolutionary stages of stars in such compact configurations, offering insights into the life cycles of stars in dense stellar environments.

How common are such extremely compact triply eclipsing quadruple systems, and what can they tell us about the dynamical processes shaping the most extreme stellar multiples?

Extremely compact triply eclipsing quadruple systems like TIC 290061484 are relatively rare, particularly those with such short outer periods. The rarity of these systems can be attributed to the specific conditions required for their formation and stability. Most known compact hierarchical triples have outer periods greater than 1,000 days, making TIC 290061484's 24.5-day period a notable exception.
The existence of such systems provides valuable insights into the dynamical processes that shape extreme stellar multiples. They serve as natural laboratories for studying gravitational interactions, tidal forces, and the effects of mass transfer between components. The close proximity of the stars in TIC 290061484 allows for significant gravitational interactions, which can lead to observable phenomena such as eclipse timing variations and changes in orbital parameters.
These interactions can inform theoretical models of stellar evolution, particularly in understanding how stars in close binaries or triples evolve differently compared to isolated stars. The dynamics of such systems can also shed light on the processes that lead to the formation of compact objects, such as neutron stars or black holes, as well as the potential for gravitational wave emissions from merging systems.

Could the presence of the distant fourth star in TIC 290061484 be related to the unusually short outer period of the inner triple system?

Yes, the presence of the distant fourth star in TIC 290061484 could be related to the unusually short outer period of the inner triple system. In hierarchical systems, the gravitational influence of a more distant companion can significantly affect the orbital dynamics of the inner components. The fourth star's mass and distance can contribute to the stability and evolution of the inner triple, potentially leading to tighter orbits and shorter periods.
The gravitational interactions between the fourth star and the inner triple can induce perturbations that alter the orbital parameters of the inner system, including its period. This can result in a more compact configuration, as seen in TIC 290061484, where the outer period is significantly shorter than that of other known triply eclipsing systems.
Additionally, the dynamics of the outer orbit can influence the inner binary's evolution, potentially leading to increased rates of mass transfer or angular momentum exchange. This interplay between the inner and outer orbits can create a feedback loop that maintains the compactness of the system while also affecting the individual stellar evolution of the components involved. Thus, the distant fourth star plays a crucial role in shaping the overall dynamics and characteristics of the TIC 290061484 system.