Hidden third stars could be making binary star system members eat each other, scientists find

At first glance, stars may appear as gentle luminaries illuminating the cosmic void and nurturing life within their solar domains. However, delving deeper into the realm of these colossal entities reveals their sinister inclinations.

Presently, we unveil another ominous aspect within the domain of these stellar behemoths. Scientists have discerned that numerous star systems, previously presumed to be binaries, may be entangled with a clandestine third partner. Astonishingly, this covert companion frequently disrupts the intimate pair, rendering one of the stars lifeless, desolate, and barely recognisable!

To comprehend this intricate phenomenon, let's rewind to the genesis. Stars are categorised based on their emissions and mass. Among these, B stars, a type of giant star, spanning 2-16 times the size of our Sun while radiating immense brightness. Within this category, 'Be' stars, distinguished by characteristic rings of superheated gas, are of particular interest.

The prevailing hypothesis suggests that Be stars, due to their rapid rotation, manage to tear away portions of their companion star, transforming these fragments into orbiting disks and augmenting their rotational speed. Data from the European Space Agency's (ESA) Gaia Mission corroborates this behavior, unveiling an intriguing revelation. The prolonged trajectory of these stars indicates occasional “wobbles”, hinting at the influence of a third stellar participant.

But if these systems commonly exist in triads, why aren't they detected more frequently? The answer may lie in the same phenomenon that begets the disks around Be stars. Scientists speculate that the concealed third star in Be systems might gradually compel the more conspicuous binary components together. When in close proximity, one star begins siphoning material from its companion, fashioning cosmic rings reminiscent of celestial bloodstains. Ultimately, the victim dwindles so much that it eludes our observation.

While this parasitic diminution likely underlies the shrouds enveloping our Be stars, this hastened demise could furnish valuable insights into the intricate process of stellar death and subsequent transformation into black holes or neutron stars. Beyond a narrative of unfortunate dynamics involving deceit and demise, scientists anticipate the revelation of how these massive entities generate gravitational waves, causing ripples in the fabric of space-time.