Rishika Shahi
A groundbreaking discovery in astronomy has revealed a unique triple star system located in the constellation Cygnus, where two stars orbit each other while a third star circles them. This remarkable system, designated TIC 290061484, has broken a nearly 70-year-old record for the shortest outer orbital period, completing its orbit in just under 25 days. Utilizing data from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and advanced artificial intelligence, astronomers and citizen scientists have unveiled new insights into the dynamics of multi-star systems.
The Discovery Process
The discovery of TIC 290061484 was made possible through observations by TESS, which detected cosmic “strobe lights” indicating the presence of the triple star system. “The flickers in starlight were recorded and analyzed using machine learning,” explained Saul Rappaport, an emeritus professor at MIT. This innovative approach allowed researchers to identify the unique orbital patterns of the stars.
The newly discovered system features two inner stars that complete their orbit every 1.8 days, while the third star takes approximately 25 days to orbit the pair. This outer star has set a new record, surpassing the previous record of 33 days held since 1956. “It’s exciting to identify a system like this because they’re rarely found,” Rappaport noted, emphasizing the significance of this finding.
Citizen Scientists’ Contributions
Citizen scientists played a crucial role in analyzing images taken by TESS to confirm the existence of this triple star system. Volunteers like IA Terentev and HM Schwengeler examined numerous eclipses indicative of a compact multi-star configuration. “Their contributions highlight how collaborative efforts can lead to significant discoveries,” Rappaport added.
The tight orbits of these three stars prevent any planets from forming within the system, as their gravitational forces are too strong. According to researchers, this trio is expected to merge in about 20 million years, resulting in a supernova explosion. “Understanding such systems can provide valuable insights into stellar evolution and dynamics,” Rappaport concluded, paving the way for further exploration in multi-star systems.
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