Astrônomos identified a triple star system that produces simultaneous eclipses between its three components. The discovery came from NASA’s TESS mission. The system is 3,080 light years away from Terra and stands out for its almost perfect configuration.
The set brings together two stars almost identical to Sol in binary orbit. A third, larger star, with 1.7 solar masses, orbits the pair. Todas move in the same plane and the alignment allows one to eclipse the others from a terrestrial point of view.
Curva light reveals distinct head and shoulders pattern
The TESS probe recorded variations in the brightness of the TIC 295741342 system. The pattern forms a curve with characteristic dips. Duas smaller dips occur when stars in the binary eclipse each other. A deeper drop happens when the outer star passes in front of the pair.
Essa configuration generates the “head and shoulders” shape of the inverted curve. The phenomenon makes it possible to precisely measure the brightness and relative size of each star. The giant star contributes about 95% of the total light in the band observed by TESS.
The inner binary has an orbital period of 4.75 days. The outer star completes one revolution around the pair every 412.8 days. The measurements came from detailed observations in several sectors of the mission.
Coplanar Alinhamento makes the system unusual
Poucos Known triple systems exhibit such aligned orbits. In the case of TIC 295741342, the three stars orbit practically in the same plane. Esse edge-on alignment makes observing triple eclipses easier.
- The two inner stars are main sequence stars similar to Sol in mass and size
- The tertiary star has a radius about 10.6 times greater than Sol and an effective temperature of 4,839 K
- The mutual inclination between the orbits is one of the smallest recorded in systems with a tertiary giant
- The system allows accurate spectrophotodynamic modeling with radial velocity data
The formation probably occurred from the fragmentation of a protostellar disk. Esse process explains the observed coplanarity, unlike systems where a star is gravitationally captured later.
Astrônomos followed the system with 48 radial velocity spectra over four years. The data helped resolve the movements of the three components. Evolutionary Modelos indicates that the giant star is in an advanced phase and may interact with the binary in the future.
Giant Estrela could lead to merger or mass transfer
The tertiary TIC 295741342 has already left the main sequence. Ela may be climbing the red giant branch or the horizontal branch. In both scenarios, it must fill its lobe with Roche and initiate interaction with the internal binary.
Essa evolution can result in stable mass transfer or a common envelope. The outcome includes the possibility of ejections or merger of stars. Models predict the next major external eclipse for September 1, 2026.
Additional Observações in this window can refine system parameters. The event makes it possible to measure the rays and light contributions of each star with greater accuracy. Equipes are already planning monitoring with ground-based and space telescopes.
Importância for star formation studies
Sistemas coplanar triples like this help understand how disks of gas and dust fragment. Centenas of triples have been found by missions such as Kepler and TESS, but few receive such detailed characterization. The low tilt angle of TIC 295741342 highlights the case.
Pesquisadores led by Brian P. Powell, of Centro of Voos Espaciais Goddard, published the results. The work combines TESS photometry, spectroscopy and dynamic modeling. The analysis confirms the rarity of system-wide alignment.
The study paves the way for more accurate predictions about the future evolution of the system. Ele also serves as a natural laboratory for testing theories about multiple stellar dynamics. Novas observations are expected to occur in the coming months.
The alignment allows eclipses to reveal details difficult to obtain in other systems. Cientistas continues to monitor variations in brightness to map orbits more accurately. The case reinforces the value of the TESS mission for stellar phenomena in addition to exoplanets.
