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Rare Binary White Dwarfs Will Resurrect as One New Star

Interesting that the visible star of the pair is the lighter of the two. Given that they're both white dwarves the surface temperature of the heavier star should be comparable so I'm trying to work out why it is invisible when compared to the other.

I can imagine a situation where it is older, burning fuel more slowly and therefore denser and smaller so although it is putting out as much light per square meter it is less bright overall but I must admit I'm struggling.