<ul data-eligibleForWebStory="false"><li>White dwarfs, remnants of stars, can steal mass from their companion star, triggering novae eruptions.</li><li>A Caltech-led study reveals a surprising twist in cataclysmic variables formation - a third star may play a key role.</li><li>Data from the ESA's Gaia mission identified 50 cataclysmic variables in triple-star systems.</li><li>Computer simulations suggested that around 40% of cataclysmic variables in our galaxy form in triple systems.</li></ul>

“Third Wheel” star brings companions closer together

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