What is the smallest star

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The Smallest Star: OGLE-TR-122b

Discovery and Characteristics of OGLE-TR-122b

The smallest known main-sequence star, OGLE-TR-122b, was discovered orbiting a solar-type primary star every 7.3 days. This star has a mass of approximately 0.092 solar masses and a radius of about 0.120 solar radii, making it the smallest known eclipsing M-dwarf star . The measurements of its mass and radius align well with theoretical predictions, providing the first observational evidence that stars can have radii comparable to or even smaller than giant planets .

Comparison with Other Small Stars

Another notable small star is KIC 1571511B, a secondary star in an eclipsing binary system in the Kepler field. This star has a mass of 0.14136 solar masses and a radius of 0.17831 solar radii, making it one of the smallest and lightest well-described stars known . However, OGLE-TR-122b remains smaller in both mass and radius, solidifying its position as the smallest known star.

Implications for Star and Planet Formation

The discovery of OGLE-TR-122b has significant implications for our understanding of star and planet formation. The fact that such small stars can exist challenges previous notions about the lower limits of star sizes and suggests that the processes leading to star formation can result in a wide range of stellar sizes . This discovery also highlights the importance of high-resolution spectroscopy in distinguishing between small stars and large planets, as their photometric signals can be very similar .

Conclusion

OGLE-TR-122b stands out as the smallest known main-sequence star, with a radius smaller than some giant planets. Its discovery has provided valuable insights into the diversity of star sizes and the processes of star formation. Future observations and studies will likely continue to refine our understanding of these small stellar objects and their place in the cosmos.

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Most relevant research papers on this topic

A planet-sized transiting star around OGLE-TR-122. Accurate mass and radius near the hydrogen-burning limit

OGLE-TR-122b is the smallest main-sequence star to date, with a radius comparable to giant planets, indicating that stars can have radii comparable to giant planets.

Highly Cited

2005·

73citations

·F. Pont et al.

Astronomy and Astrophysics·

DOI

The New Red Star in Cygnus

The new red star in Cygnus, which appears to be 12 meters in diameter, is a remarkable variable, with a deep crimson color and a small magnitude.

1881·

0citations

·J. Birmingham

Nature·

DOI

E3 M3+ (E=C-Pb, M=Li-Cs) Clusters: The Smallest Molecular Stars.

E3 M3+ clusters are the smallest molecular stars with three planar tetracoordinate E atoms, acting like superalkali cations with small vertical electron affinities and large dissociation energies.

2017·

12citations

·M. Contreras et al.

Chemistry·

DOI

RELICS: Small-scale Star Formation in Lensed Galaxies at z = 6–10

Lensed galaxies at z = 6-10 provide a unique window into small-scale star formation during the epoch of reionization, offering potential targets for future JWST observations.

2022·

18citations

·B. Welch et al.

The Astrophysical Journal·

DOI

Smallest Scale Clumpy Star Formation in Stephan’s Quintet Revealed from UV and IR Imaging

FUV imaging data helps identify star-forming regions in Stephan's Quintet compact group, revealing smaller clumps produced by PAH molecules and dust ionized by young massive stars.

2022·

0citations

·Prajwel Joseph et al.

Research Notes of the AAS·

DOI

KIC 1571511B: a benchmark low-mass star in an eclipsing binary system in the Kepler field

KIC 1571511B is a potential benchmark object for studying low-mass stars, but detecting the secondary component's radius is crucial for achieving its full potential.

2011·

22citations

·A. Ofir et al.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters·

DOI

Angular Sizes and Effective Temperatures of O-type Stars from Optical Interferometry with the CHARA Array

The CHARA Array has resolved angular diameters and effective temperatures of six O-type stars, with Oph's rotational oblateness measured for the first time.

2018·

12citations

·Kathryn D. Gordon et al.

The Astrophysical Journal·

DOI

Simultaneous Six-way Observations from the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer

The six-element observing mode of the NPOI reveals the smallest angular diameters measured to date, with four from 1.2 to 1.9 mas and two from 0.5 to 0.7 mas.

2023·

4citations

·E. Baines et al.

The Astronomical Journal·

DOI

EDGE: the mass–metallicity relation as a critical test of galaxy formation physics

The stellar mass-metallicity relation of the smallest galaxies provides a unique constraint on galaxy formation physics, as it differentiates galaxy formation models based on feedback effects.

2019·

69citations

·O. Agertz et al.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·

DOI

The edge of galaxy formation - I. Formation and evolution of MW-satellite analogues before accretion

Milky Way and Andromeda satellite galaxies show diverse star formation histories before accretion, with some retaining their cuspy central dark matter distribution.

2017·

38citations

·A. Macciò et al.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·

DOI

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