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Recent detections of gravitational waves from mergers of neutron stars (NSs) and black holes (BHs) in the low and high-end mass gap regimes pose a puzzle to standard stellar and binary evolution theory. Mass-gap mergers may originate from successive mergers in hierarchical systems such as quadruples. Here, we consider repeated mergers of NSs and BHs in stellar 2+2 quadruple systems, in which secular evolution can accelerate the merger of one of the inner binaries. Subsequently, the merger remnant may interact with the companion binary, yielding a second-generation merger. We model the initial stellar and binary evolution of the inner binaries as isolated systems. In the case of successful compact object formation, we subsequently follow the secular dynamical evolution of the quadruple system. When a merger occurs, we take into account merger recoil, and model subsequent evolution using direct N-body integration. With different assumptions on the initial properties, we find that the majority of first-generation mergers are not much affected by secular evolution, with their observational properties mostly consistent with isolated binaries. A small subset shows imprints of secular evolution through residual eccentricity in the LIGO band, and retrograde spin-orbit orientations. Second-generation mergers are ~10^7 times less common than first-generation mergers, and can be strongly affected by scattering (i.e., three-body interactions) induced by the first-generation merger. In particular, scattering can account for mergers within the low-end mass gap, although not the high-end mass gap. Also, in a few cases, scattering could explain highly eccentric LIGO sources and negative effective spin parameters., Accepted for publication in MNRAS (updated references). 38 pages, 91 figures. Includes supplementary material appended to the main manuscript

Triple-star systems exhibit a phenomenon known as the Triple Evolution Dynamical Instability (TEDI), in which mass loss in evolving triples triggers short-term dynamical instabilities, potentially leading to collisions of stars, exchanges, and ejections. Previous work has shown that the TEDI is an important pathway to head-on stellar collisions in the Galaxy, significantly exceeding the rate of collisions due to random encounters in globular clusters. Here, we revisit the TEDI evolutionary pathway using state-of-the-art population synthesis methods that self-consistently take into account stellar evolution and binary interactions, as well as gravitational dynamics and perturbations from passing stars in the field. We find Galactic TEDI-induced collision rates on the order of 1e-4/yr, consistent with previous studies which were based on more simplified methods. The majority of TEDI-induced collisions involve main sequence stars, potentially producing blue straggler stars. Collisions are also possible involving more evolved stars, potentially producing eccentric post-common-envelope systems, and white dwarfs collisions leading to Type Ia supernovae (although the latter with a negligible contribution to the Galactic rate). In our simulations, the TEDI is not only triggered by adiabatic wind mass loss, but also by Roche lobe overflow in the inner binary: when the donor star becomes less massive than the accretor, the inner binary orbit widens, triggering triple dynamical instability. We find that collision rates are increased by ~17% when fly-bys in the field are taken into account. In addition to collisions, we find that the TEDI produces ~1e-4/yr of unbound stars, although none with escape speeds in excess of 1e3 km/s., Accepted for publication in ApJ. 22 pages, 16 figures

We present a catalogue containing 839 candidate post common envelope systems. Common envelope evolution is very important in stellar astrophysics, particularly in the context of very compact and short-period binaries, including cataclysmic variables, as progenitors of e.g. supernovae type Ia or mergers of black holes and/or neutron stars. At the same time it is a barely understood process in binary evolution. Due to limitations, since partially remedied, on direct simulation, early investigations were mainly focused on providing analytic prescriptions of the outcome of common envelope evolution. In recent years, detailed hydrodynamical calculations have produced deeper insight into the previously elusive process of envelope ejection. However, a direct link between observations and theory of this relatively short-lived phase in binary evolution has not been forthcoming. Therefore, the main insight to be gained from observations has to be derived from the current state of systems likely to have gone through a common envelope. Here we present an extensive catalogue of such observations as found in the literature. The aim of this paper is to provide a reliable set of data, obtained from observations, to be used in the theoretical modelling of common envelope evolution. In this catalogue, the former common envelope donor star is commonly observed as a white dwarf star or as a hot sub-dwarf star. This catalogue includes period and mass estimates, wherever obtainable. Some binaries are border line cases to allow an investigation of the transition between a common envelope formation and other mass-transfer processes., 29(+23) pages, 6(+4) figures, 1(+2) tables. Accepted for publication in APJ

In compact stellar triple systems, an evolved tertiary star can overflow its Roche lobe around the inner binary. Subsequently, the tertiary star can transfer mass to the inner binary in a stable manner, or Roche lobe overflow (RLOF) can be unstable and lead to common-envelope (CE) evolution. In the latter case, the inner binary enters the extended envelope of the tertiary star and spirals in towards the donor's core, potentially leading to mergers or ejections. Although studied in detail for individual systems, a comprehensive statistical view on the various outcomes of triple RLOF is lacking. Here, we carry out 10^5 population synthesis simulations of tight triples, self-consistently taking into account stellar evolution, binary interactions, and gravitational dynamics. Also included are prescriptions for the long-term evolution of stable triple mass transfer, and triple CE evolution. Although simple and ignoring hydrodynamic effects, these prescriptions allow for a qualitative statistical study. We find that triple RLOF occurs in ~0.06% of triples, with ~64% leading to stable mass transfer, and ~36% to triple CE evolution. Triple CE is most often (~76%) followed by one or multiple mergers in short succession, most likely an inner binary merger of two main-sequence stars. Other outcomes of triple CE are a binary+single system (~23%, most of which not involving exchange interactions), and a stable triple (~1%). We also estimate the rate of Type Ia supernovae involving white dwarf mergers following triple RLOF, but find only a negligible contribution., Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJS. 23 pages, 13 figures

Dark rings with bright rims are the indirect signposts of planets embedded in protoplanetary discs. In a recent first, an azimuthally elongated AU-scale blob, possibly a planet, was resolved with ALMA in TW Hya. The blob is at the edge of a cliff-like rollover in the dust disc rather than inside a dark ring. Here we build time-dependent models of TW Hya disc. We find that the classical paradigm cannot account for the morphology of the disc and the blob. We propose that ALMA-discovered blob hides a Neptune mass planet losing gas and dust. We show that radial drift of mm-sized dust particles naturally explains why the blob is located on the edge of the dust disc. Dust particles leaving the planet perform a characteristic U-turn relative to it, producing an azimuthally elongated blob-like emission feature. This scenario also explains why a 10 Myr old disc is so bright in dust continuum. Two scenarios for the dust-losing planet are presented. In the first, a dusty pre-runaway gas envelope of about 40 Earth mass Core Accretion planet is disrupted, e.g., as a result of a catastrophic encounter. In the second, a massive dusty pre-collapse gas giant planet formed by Gravitational Instability is disrupted by the energy released in its massive core. Future modelling may discriminate between these scenarios and allow us to study planet formation in an entirely new way -- by analysing the flows of dust and gas recently belonging to planets, informing us about the structure of pre-disruption planetary envelopes., Comment: Typos fixed, references and author list updated