Discovery of the most compact 3+1-type quadruple star system TIC 120362137

Abstract Hierarchical multiple stellar systems with short outer periods comprise an important subgroup of multiple star systems. In this paper we present the discovery and spectro-photodynamical analysis of the most compact known 3+1 quadruple stellar system, TIC 120362137. Through investigations of the observations made with the TESS satellite and ground-based follow up measurements, we find that the system consists of an eclipsing binary with a few-day-period that in turn eclipses, and is eclipsed by, a third star on a P mid = 51.3 d orbit. This inner subsystem, which contains three stars that are more massive and hotter than the Sun, is more spatially compact than Mercury’s orbit around our Sun, and is orbited by a fourth Sun-like star with a period P out = 1046 d. We detect the spectral lines of all four stars, making this system the most thoroughly studied 3+1 type quadruple stellar system. The future evolution of TIC 120362137 is also modeled, and we conclude that this entire system will likely end up as a pair of white dwarfs.