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The formation of very wide binaries, such as the alpha Cen system withProxima (also known as alpha Centauri C) separated from alpha Centauri (whichitself is a close binary A/B) by 15000 AU, challenges current theories of starformation, because their separation can exceed the typical size of a collapsingcloud core. Various hypotheses have been proposed to overcome this problem,including the suggestion that ultra-wide binaries result from the dissolutionof a star cluster - when a cluster star gravitationally captures another,distant, cluster star. Recent observations have shown that very wide binariesare frequently members of triple systems and that close binaries often have adistant third companion. Here we report Nbody simulations of the dynamicalevolution of newborn triple systems still embedded in their nascent cloud coresthat match observations of very wide systems. We find that although the triplesystems are born very compact - and therefore initially are more protectedagainst disruption by passing stars - they can develop extreme hierarchicalarchitectures on timescales of millions of years as one component isdynamically scattered into a very distant orbit. The energy of ejection comesfrom shrinking the orbits of the other two stars, often making them look from adistance like a single star. Such loosely bound triple systems will thereforeappear to be very wide binaries.

Formation of the Widest Binaries from Dynamical Unfolding of Triple Systems