V994 Herculis: a unique triply eclipsing sextuple star system
Abstract
We report the discovery with the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) of a third set of eclipses from V994 Herculis (V994 Her, TIC 424508303), previously only known as a doubly eclipsing system. The key implication of this discovery and our analyses is that V994 Her is the second fully characterized (2+2) + 2 sextuple system, in which all three binaries eclipse. In this work, we use a combination of ground-based observations and TESS data to analyse the eclipses of binaries A and B in order to update the parameters of the inner quadruple’s orbit (with a derived period of 1062 ± 2 d). The eclipses of binary C that were detected in the TESS data were also found in older ground-based observations, as well as in more recently obtained observations. The eclipse timing variations of all three pairs were studied in order to detect the mutual perturbations of their constituent stars, as well as those of the inner pairs in the (2 + 2) core. At the longest periods they arise from apsidal motion, which may help constraining parameters of the component stars’ internal structure. We also discuss the relative proximity of the periods of binaries A and B to a 3:2 mean motion resonance. This work represents a step forward in the development of techniques to better understand and characterize multiple star systems, especially those with multiple eclipsing components.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Jan 31, 2023
- Source ID
- 10.1093/mnras/stad328
Entities
People
- A Vanderburg
- Anamitra Pal
- B P Powell
- D Lacourse
- D Vokrouhlický
- H M Schwengeler
- I B Bíró
- I Terentev
- M H Kristiansen
- M Mašek
- M Omohundro
- M. Broz
- P. Zasche
- R Gagliano
- R. Jayaraman
- R. Uhlar
- S B Howell
- S Dallaporta
- S. A. Rappaport
- T Hegedüs
- Tamás Borkovits
- Thomas Lee Jacobs
- U. Munari
- V B Kostov
- Z Henzl
- Z T Kiss
Organizations
- Ames Research Center
- Brorfelde Observatory
- Charles University
- Czech Astronomical Society
- Czech Science Foundation
- European Space Agency
- Goddard Space Flight Center
- Konkoly Observatory
- Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute
- Luebo Airport
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports
- National Academy of Sciences
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- National Institute for Astrophysics
- National Research Council Canada
- National Science Foundation
- SETI Institute
- United States Naval Observatory
- University of Szeged