In a remarkable development that could redefine our understanding of the cosmos, researchers at the University of Leeds have made a revolutionary discovery concerning some of the universe's most prevalent and colossal stars. Their study, titled "Gaia Reveals Variance in B and Be Star Binarity at Micro Levels: Indications of Mass Transfer Inciting the Be Phenomenon," finds place in the renowned Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery suggesting that massive Be stars, known for their characteristic gas discs, are likely part of triple star systems rather than binary systems as previously thought. This revelation, based on data from the Gaia satellite, challenges existing theories on star formation and has significant implications for understanding broader astronomical phenomena such as black holes, neutron stars, and gravitational waves.
The study conducted by Jonathan Dodd, a doctoral candidate, and Professor René Oudmaijer of the University's Department of Physics and Astronomy, implies that the previously assumed binary nature of massive Be stars might be an underestimation. Be stars, a subset of B stars, could potentially exist as "triples," a finding that could revolutionize our grasp of these celestial bodies.
Traditionally, Be stars have been recognized by the characteristic gas disk encircling them, reminiscent of Saturn's rings in our solar system. These stars were first identified by Italian astronomer Angelo Secchi back in 1866, but their formation process has remained enigmatic.
The prevalent hypothesis among the scientific community has been that these disks are a result of the Be stars' rapid rotation, potentially triggered by interaction with another star in a binary system.
However, analysis of data from the European Space Agency's Gaia satellite has led the researchers to an unexpected conclusion. They propose that these stars exist in triple systems, with three bodies interacting simultaneously.
The researchers have observed the trajectory of these stars over extended periods of time, both on a decade-long scale and over shorter six-month durations. When a star's movement deviates from a straight line, it suggests the presence of more than one star.
Professor Oudmaijer, the study's Principal Investigator, stated that the absence of visible companion stars might be due to their faintness.
Further analysis of the data led the researchers to a fascinating inference. In many instances, a third star forces the companion closer to the Be star, leading to mass transfer between the two, resulting in the formation of the characteristic Be star disk.
This groundbreaking discovery could have far-reaching implications in astronomy, potentially influencing our understanding of black holes, neutron stars, and gravitational wave sources.
Professor Oudmaijer concluded, "This discovery advances our understanding of stellar evolution. We're now considering the possibility that triple stars are more prevalent than binaries".
Reference:
Jonathan M Dodd et al, Gaia uncovers difference in B and Be star binarity at small scales: evidence for mass transfer causing the Be phenomenon, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (2023). DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stad3105. On arXiv: arxiv.org/pdf/2310.05653.pdf
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