Multi-star System Observations Based on the Direct-imaging Method

Abstract

The direct-imaging exploration can obtain comprehensive physical information of exoplanets, which is a key technology to search for extraterrestrial life in the future. In this paper, based on our recent high-contrast imaging data of ground-based telescope, the newly discovered multi-star candidates are presented. In the early stage, combined with the ability of high-contrast imaging equipment for the exoplanets in the ground-based system, we select about 1000 targets from published works which are compiled using the catalogs released by Gaia. These targets are distributed in different young star clusters. Recently, we used Hale Telescope at Palomar Observatory to carry out high-contrast imaging observation on 42 of the above targets in the K-band. Most of the observed targets are 7.5–14 in the V-band. In 2019, after two rounds of observation, we discover six multi-star system candidates. It is however difficult to find out whether these targets are single-star or multi-star systems in Gaia DR2 (Data Release 2) catalog and Gaia EDR3 (early Data Release 3) catalog.