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White Dwarf Devours Icy Fragment from Distant Kuiper Belt

9/25/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A white dwarf about 260 light-years away is consuming a fragment from a Pluto-like object.
The fragment contains about 64% water ice and carbon, sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen.
Lead researcher Snehalata Sahu notes the unexpected presence of water and volatiles.
The white dwarf's gravity likely pulled the icy body from a Kuiper Belt–like region.

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Story summary

A white dwarf about 260 light-years away is consuming a fragment from a Pluto-like object.
The fragment contains about 64% water ice and carbon, sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen.
Lead researcher Snehalata Sahu notes the unexpected presence of water and volatiles.
The white dwarf's gravity likely pulled the icy body from a Kuiper Belt–like region.