Discovery of a compact hierarchical triple main-sequence star system while searching for binary stars with compact objects

TL;DR

The work tackles distinguishing binaries with genuine compact objects from hierarchical triple systems identified via Gaia DR3. It integrates Gaia DR3 data with targeted low- and high-SNR spectroscopic follow-up and TESS photometry to map outer and inner orbital architectures. The study confirms G1010 as a compact hierarchical triple with $P_{\rm out}\approx 277.2^{+1.6}_{-1.3}$ days, $P_{\rm in}\approx 18.26$ days, and component masses $M_1=0.85^{+0.03}_{-0.03}M_\odot$, $M_2=0.63^{+0.02}_{-0.02}M_\odot$, and $M_3=0.61^{+0.02}_{-0.02}M_\odot$, where the inner binary is an eclipsing MS pair seen in the TESS light curve. This finding aligns with prior eclipse-timing-variation discoveries and demonstrates that such triples can be uncovered by combining spectroscopy with Gaia data, paving the way for future Gaia DR4/DR5 analyses. The results highlight potential misclassifications of Gaia-based compact-object candidates and provide a robust pathway to identify hierarchical triples with implications for compact-object formation and stellar dynamics.

Abstract

We have discovered a compact hierarchical triple main-sequence star system, which is cataloged as Gaia DR3 1010268155897156864 or TIC 21502513. Hereafter, we call it ``G1010''. G1010 consists of a primary (the most massive) star and inner binary that orbit each other. The primary star is a $0.85_{-0.03}^{+0.03}\;{\rm M}_\odot$ main-sequence (MS) star, and the inner binary components are $0.63_{-0.02}^{+0.02}$ and $0.61_{-0.02}^{+0.02}\;{\rm M}_\odot$ MS stars. The outer and inner orbital periods are $277.2_{-1.3}^{+1.6}$ and $\sim 18.26$ days, respectively. G1010 is categorized as a single-lined spectroscopic binary, and its orbital solution indicates that G1010 possibly accompanies a massive compact object, such as a neutron star or massive white dwarf. In order to confirm the presence of a massive compact object, we have performed several-times low signal-to-ratio (SNR) and one-time high SNR spectroscopic observations, and determined the outer orbital parameters. Moreover, we have deeply analyzed the high SNR spectroscopic data, and found that G1010 accompanies not a massive compact object, but an inner binary. We have investigated G1010's light curve in Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), and concluded that the inner binary is actually an eclipsing binary, not included in TESS Eclipsing Binary Stars. We have obtained the inner orbital parameters from the TESS light curve. G1010 is similar to compact hierarchical triple star systems previously discovered by eclipse timing variation analysis. Our discovery has shown that such triple star systems can be discovered by combination of low- and high-SNR spectroscopic observations with the help of Gaia DR3 and the upcoming Gaia DR4/DR5.

Figures (1)

• Figure 1: Primary, secondary, and tertiary stars of our triple stars.