V Pup: A Hierarchical Massive Quadruple System

Abstract The formation and structural configuration of V Pup have not yet been fully understood. Here we report the detection that V Pup is a massive hierarchical quadruple system. Through long-term photometric monitoring and a comprehensive analysis of multiple survey datasets, we have constructed an updated O − C curve showing two significant periodic variations. These cyclic modulations strongly suggest the presence of two additional stellar companions orbiting the central binary. Both the tertiary and quaternary components have B-type spectral classifications and are located at separations that are unresolved by Gaia. These findings indicate that V Pup is a massive hierarchical quadruple system. The mass ratios among the four components are approximately 4:2:2:1, corresponding to the primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary stars, respectively. The tertiary and quaternary components are approximately 1:2 apart from the central binary, and their orbital periods around the binary are approximately 1:3. It is likely that this system originated through disk fragmentation. This discovery suggests that V Pup may be an exceptional test bed. It could shed further light on the formation of massive multiple-star systems.