Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Dead Planets Orbiting a Dead Star

This artist's illustration shows the white dwarf J1328−1450, a stellar remnant where fusion ended a long time ago. When the star died, it first expanded and vapourized its planets, and that formed the debris disk seen in the image. The disk has two concentric rings of gas moving at different speeds, with a clear gap between them. It's possible that a pair of planetesimals formed in the aftermath and are shepherding the disks at different speeds. Image Credit: ESO/L. Calçada

When a star like our Sun reaches its end, it becomes a kind of zombie star called a white dwarf. These bodies have left fusion behind and will radiate only remnant heat for a long, long time. Before they become white dwarfs, they expand, engulf, and destroy any nearby planets. Astronomers have spotted a debris disk around a white dwarf, made from the dust of destroyed planets. Observations show that two new resurrected planets have formed in this disk, creating dead planets orbiting a dead star.



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