Indian astronomers make surprising discovery in rare triple-sun solar system

GG Tau A features a protoplanetary disk—rings of swirling gas and dust. (Representative Image: AI Generated)

A rare triple-star system, GG Tau A, has captured scientists’ attention. Located 489 light-years from Earth, this region is a stellar nursery for young planets. Researchers are unlocking clues about how planets form in multi-star environments.

Unveiling a Protoplanetary Disk
GG Tau A features a protoplanetary disk—rings of swirling gas and dust. These disks are critical for understanding planetary development. Scientists estimate the system's age at 1 to 5 million years, marking it as relatively young.

Using advanced radio telescopes in Chile, Odisha's National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) team studied the disk. They detected emissions from essential molecules frozen onto tiny dust particles.

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Conditions for Planet Formation
The team, led by Liton Majumdar, studied the disk’s mid-plane. Temperatures there plunge to 12 K to 16 K, freezing carbon monoxide. These icy conditions allow gas and dust to clump together. This process is essential for forming planets.

GG Tau A’s triple-star configuration sets it apart. Most known planets form around single stars like our Sun. Some also develop in binary systems. However, multi-star environments remain challenging to study. This discovery offers fresh insight into these unique formations.

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Expanding Knowledge of Planetary Origins
Understanding GG Tau A helps scientists explore diverse planetary systems. It reveals how celestial bodies mature in complex star environments. Continued research aims to decode the mysteries of planet formation in such extraordinary settings.