Gaia search for stellar companions of TESS Objects of Interest V

TL;DR

This study uses Gaia data to identify and characterize stellar companions to TESS Objects of Interest, revealing 94 multiple star systems within 500pc, including white dwarf companions, and analyzing their properties and distributions.

Contribution

It presents the first comprehensive Gaia-based multiplicity survey of TESS Objects of Interest, identifying new binary and triple systems and characterizing their properties.

Findings

94 multiple star systems identified within 500pc.

Companions range from 0.12 to 1.6 solar masses.

Companion separations range from 110 to 9600 au.

Abstract

In this paper we present the latest results of our ongoing multiplicity survey of (Community) TESS Objects of Interest, using astrometry and photometry from the latest data release of the ESA Gaia mission to detect stellar companions of these stars and to characterize their properties. A total of 92 binary and two hierarchical triple star systems are identified among the 745 target stars whose multiplicity is explored in this study, all at distances of less than 500pc around the Sun. As expected for components of gravitationally bound star systems, the targets and the detected companions are at the same distance and share a common proper motion, as shown by their accurate Gaia astrometry. The companions have masses of about 0.12 to 1.6$M_\odot$. and are most frequently found in the mass range up to 0.6$M_\odot$. The companions have projected separations from the targets between about 110 and 9600au. Their frequency is highest and constant from about 300 to 800au, decreasing at larger projected separations. In addition to main sequence stars, five white dwarf companions are detected in this study, whose true nature is unveiled by their photometric properties.