A naukri.com initiative
Earthsky
1M
378
Image Credit: Earthsky
Remains of destroyed planet found lurking in Helix nebula
- Astronomers have detected unusual X-ray signals coming from the center of the Helix nebula since 1980, with a new study suggesting they may be from a destroyed planet falling onto the white dwarf star at the nebula's center.
- The Helix nebula is a planetary nebula formed from the outer layers of a star that became a white dwarf, with the X-rays coming from debris of a destroyed planet falling onto the white dwarf.
- Researchers believe the X-ray signals observed in the Helix nebula for over 40 years could be due to remnants of a Jupiter-sized planet that was destroyed by the white dwarf.
- The destroyed planet likely fell into the white dwarf after migrating closer to it, with the debris heating up and emitting X-ray signals, providing a possible explanation for the mysterious X-ray emissions.
- Other similar white dwarfs have also been found to interact with destroyed or disintegrating planets, shedding light on how planets evolve in the vicinity of aging stars like white dwarfs.
- The discovery of the destroyed planet in the Helix nebula sheds new insights into the dynamics of planetary systems around white dwarfs and their survival as stars age.
- Understanding how planets are affected by aging stars like white dwarfs can provide valuable information about the fate of planets, including possible habitability, in such systems.
- The findings from the study published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society suggest that the destroyed planet's remains continue to orbit the white dwarf, contributing to the X-ray emissions.
- A destroyed planet near a white dwarf in the Helix nebula is a rare discovery, offering unique insights into the interactions between planets and aging stars, providing vital information about planetary survival in such environments.
- The study's findings help astronomers unravel the mysteries of X-ray emissions in the Helix nebula, linking them to the remnants of a destroyed planet, showcasing the complexities of planetary systems in the universe.
Read Full Article
22 Likes
For uninterrupted reading, download the app