HD 98800

Starbox begin
name = HD 98800Starbox observe
epoch = J2000.0
constell = Crater
ra = RA|11|22|05.2898
dec = DEC|-24|46|39.760
appmag_v = 9.11Starbox character
class = K5Ve
r-i =
v-r =
b-v =
u-b =
variable = T TauriStarbox astrometry
radial_v = 9.25
prop_mo_ra = -85.45
prop_mo_dec = -33.37
parallax = 21.43
p_error = 2.86
parallax_footnote =
dist_ly = ~150
dist_pc = ~47
space_v_u =
space_v_v =
space_v_w =
absmag_v = 10.27Starbox detail
source =
mass =
radius =
gravity =
luminosity =
temperature =
metal =
rotation =
age = 10 millionStarbox catalog
names = GJ 2084, GSC 06654-00219, HD 98800, HIP 55505, SAO 179815, TV CraterisStarbox reference
Simbad = HD+98800
ARICNS =

HD 98800, also cataloged as TV Crateris (TV Crt), is a quadruple star system approximately 150 light-years away in the constellation of Crater (the Cup). The system consists of four T Tauri stars that are located within the TW Hydrae association.

As of 2007, a debris disk was discovered within the system. The ring extending to 5.9 astronomical units from the barycenter of the system and which is consistent with models of planet formation. Observations by the Spitzer Space Telescope indicate that HD 98800 may have a extrasolar planet orbiting within a distance of 1.5 to 2 astronomical units.

Stellar system

The system consists of four T Tauri stars that are located within the TW Hydrae association. Within the system, there are two separate systems of binary stars. Each system (separately cataloged as "HD 98800 A" and "HD 98800B") consists of two stars. Although the four stars are gravitationally bound, the distance separating the two binary pairs is about 50 astronomical units (somewhat more than the average distance between the Sun and Pluto). Not much is known about each individual star, accept that they are basically Solar twin stars.

Planetary system

Debris disk

Astronomers using the Spitzer Space Telescope's infrared vision discovered a debris disk around the star system HD 98800B. The disk consists of two separate belts—one of which sits at approximately 5.9 astronomical units away from the central binary, with the second at about the distance of 1.5 to 2 astronomical units. Both belts are though to contain a combination of asteroids, comets, and fine grains.

Project leader, Dr. Elise Furlan, concludes that the dust generated from the collision of rocky objects in the outer belt should eventually migrate toward the inner disk. But because the system is a double binary system, the dust particles do not evenly fill out the inner disk as expected.

Possible planets

Because of the gaps within the debris disk, the concept of planets within the system becomes even more likely. The detected gaps could be caused by a unique gravitational relationship between the disk and possible planets already begun to form, carving out lanes in the dust. However, the gaps could be simply effects between the four stars.

Astronomers believe that planets form like snowballs over millions of years, as small dust grains clump together to form larger bodies. Some of these cosmic rocks then smash together to form Terrestrial planets (like the Earth), or the cores of Jovial planets (like Jupiter). Large rocks that don't form planets often become asteroids and comets. As these rocky structures violently collide, bits of dust are released into space.

See also

* 2M1207
* HD 188753
* UX Tauri
* Vega

External links

*
*
*