After three years of observations using the 10-meter Keck II telescope in Hawaii, Lowell Observatory astronomer Lisa Prato announces the discovery of four new low-mass double star systems with separations similar to the Earth-Sun distance or smaller. This survey also serendipitously revealed five new wider binaries with separations of about 14 to 140 times the Earth-Sun distance. The results provide significant new evidence to better characterize the star and planet forming region in Ophiuchus. The research features the first such analysis for young, low-mass spectroscopic (closely spaced) binary stars undertaken in infrared light.

Lisa Prato: „A Survey for Young Spectroscopic Binary K7-M4 Stars in Ophiuchus“