The TESS satellite has discovered a rare triple star system

TESS is a satellite designed to observe the universe and discover new exoplanets. However, it also allows astronomers to discover unique star systems that are still poorly understood. Recently, a team of astronomers led by Brian P. Powell of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center has announced the discovery of a triple star system.

Initially, researchers thought that TIC 295741342 was a binary system, but in reality, a giant star orbits this system every 1.13 years. More specifically, it is composed of two stars with sizes and masses similar to those of the Sun. In addition, they have an orbital period of about 4.75 days. However, the third star, TIC 295741342 B, is about 1.7 times more massive than the Sun, with a radius about 10.6 times larger. 

While many mysteries still surround the origin of this system, astronomers have put forward several hypotheses. Indeed, it appears to have formed about 1.46 billion years ago through disk fragmentation. To highlight this discovery, astronomers have stated: 

"TIC 295741342 is one of only a handful of known triply-eclipsing triple star systems with a giant tertiary, and it has by far the lowest mutual inclination among them."

But that's not all, because similar discoveries could be made in the future using this satellite. And that would allow astronomers to better understand these systems, as well as the universe.