Cosmic Conspiracies: Hidden Henchmen Aid 'Vampire' Stars in Stellar Feeding Frenzy

Scientists from the University of Leeds have discovered that Be stars, a type of massive star, are likely part of triple star systems rather than binary systems as previously believed. This finding challenges existing theories on star formation and has implications for understanding black holes, neutron stars, and gravitational waves. The research suggests that mass transfer from a third star to the Be star leads to the formation of the characteristic gas discs around Be stars. This discovery highlights the complexity of stellar evolution and the importance of considering triple star systems in our understanding of the cosmos.