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Ancient White Dwarf Devours Planetary Debris, Astronomers Discover

10/23/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Astronomers at the W. M. Keck Observatory, led by Érika Le Bourdais of Université de Montréal, found that the ancient white dwarf LSPM J0207+3331, 145 light-years away, is actively accreting planetary debris.
Spectroscopic analysis shows 13 chemical elements in the star's atmosphere, indicating a rocky body is being torn apart.
The discovery suggests planetary systems can remain dynamic long after a star's death.
Future observations may clarify the disruption's cause.

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Story summary

Astronomers at the W. M. Keck Observatory, led by Érika Le Bourdais of Université de Montréal, found that the ancient white dwarf LSPM J0207+3331, 145 light-years away, is actively accreting planetary debris.
Spectroscopic analysis shows 13 chemical elements in the star's atmosphere, indicating a rocky body is being torn apart.
The discovery suggests planetary systems can remain dynamic long after a star's death.
Future observations may clarify the disruption's cause.