Indian astronomers make key discovery in system with 3 suns
What's the story
Indian astronomers from Odisha's National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) have uncovered a groundbreaking find in the GG Tau A solar system, located 489 light-years from Earth.
This unique triple-star system was studied using advanced radio telescopes in Chile's Atacama Desert. Their research offers vital insights into the complexities of planetary formation, especially within multi-star environments.
System overview
GG Tau A: A unique system for studying planetary formation
The GG Tau A system is known to be a breeding ground for young planets. It has a protoplanetary disk, a swirling ring of gas and dust that provides vital insights into planet formation in complex multi-star environments.
Unlike our Sun, which exists alone, this system has three stars that orbit each other. Such configurations are rare in the universe and can significantly alter the dynamics of how planets form.
Molecular detection
Discovery of key molecules in the protoplanetary disk
The NISER team, led by Liton Majumdar, detected emissions from important molecules in the disk.
These molecules are frozen onto tiny dust particles in the coldest regions of the disk and could act as building blocks for new planets.
The researchers focused on the "mid-plane" of this disk, where temperatures were found to drop as low as 12 K to 16 K—far below carbon monoxide's freezing point.
Planetary complexity
Triple-star configuration complicates planet formation
The triple-star configuration of GG Tau A is a rare sight in the galaxy. The three stars interact with one another, affecting the behavior of the surrounding disk and complicating the planet formation process.
This makes GG Tau A an ideal case study for understanding how planets could form in multi-star systems.
While planets form around single stars like our Sun, observing this in multi-star systems has been a major challenge.
Exoplanet diversity
GG Tau A offers insights into exoplanet diversity
The presence of frozen molecules in the coldest regions of the disk suggests that the essential building blocks for planets are present in the GG Tau A system.
Studying such a young, multi-star system allows scientists to compare and contrast how planets form in environments with multiple suns.
This knowledge will ultimately enrich our understanding of our own solar system's origins and the vast diversity of planetary systems that exist in the universe.