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Description
Hierarchical multiple stellar systems with short outer periods comprise an important subgroup of multiple star systems. In this paper we present the discovery and spectro-photodynamical analysis of the most compact known 3+1 quadruple stellar system, TIC 120362137. Through investigations of the observations made with the TESS satellite and ground-based follow up measurements, we find that the system consists of an eclipsing binary with a few-day-period that in turn eclipses, and is eclipsed by, a third star on a $P_\mathrm{mid}=51.3$ d orbit. This inner subsystem, which contains three stars that are more massive and hotter than the Sun, is more spatially compact than Mercury's orbit around our Sun, and is orbited by a fourth Sun-like star with a period $P_{\rm out}=1046$ d. We detect the spectral lines of all four stars, making this system the most thoroughly studied 3+1 type quadruple stellar system. The future evolution of TIC 120362137 is also modelled, and we conclude that this entire system will likely end up as a pair of white dwarfs.