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40% of Cataclysmic Variables Linked to Triple-Star Systems

7/13/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A groundbreaking discovery reveals that nearly 40% of explosive white dwarf pairs, called cataclysmic variables (CVs), may originate from triple-star systems. By analyzing data from the Gaia mission, researchers identified 50 CVs shaped by the gravitational pull of a third star, challenging long-held beliefs and paving the way for fresh insights into stellar dynamics.

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Story summary

A groundbreaking discovery reveals that nearly 40% of explosive white dwarf pairs, called cataclysmic variables (CVs), may originate from triple-star systems. By analyzing data from the Gaia mission, researchers identified 50 CVs shaped by the gravitational pull of a third star, challenging long-held beliefs and paving the way for fresh insights into stellar dynamics.