Why in news?
Astronomers discovered a rare quadruple star system in our Milky Way galaxy named UPM J1040−3551 AabBab. It is the first known system in which two brown dwarfs orbit two red dwarf stars.
About the system
- Composition: The system comprises two red dwarf stars—small, faint stars that burn fuel slowly—and two brown dwarfs, which are sometimes called “failed stars” because they are too small to sustain hydrogen fusion like normal stars.
- Uniqueness: Such a four‑body arrangement is extremely rare. The probability of low‑mass brown dwarfs having companions is estimated to be less than 5 percent.
- Observation advantages: The red dwarfs are bright enough for scientists to measure their properties accurately, which in turn helps estimate the mass, temperature and composition of the faint brown dwarfs.
Significance
- Natural laboratory: Because all four bodies formed together, the system allows astronomers to study how stars and planets form and evolve under the same conditions.
- Understanding brown dwarfs: Brown dwarfs are difficult to detect; studying them in this system improves knowledge about these objects and their role in the cosmos.
- Mass distribution in the universe: Measuring the mass of brown dwarfs helps refine models of how mass is distributed in our galaxy, which is important for understanding dark matter.
Conclusion: The discovery of UPM J1040−3551 AabBab provides valuable insights into stellar and planetary formation and sheds light on the elusive brown dwarfs that populate our galaxy.