Hubble spots white dwarf star ripping up Halley’s Comet’s big brother
Researchers using NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope have observed, for the first time ever, an enormous object with the composition of a comet being shredded and scattered by a white dwarf, the burned-out husk of a massive star.
Researchers said the comet-like object has a chemical makeup comparable to that Halley’s Comet, but it is 100,000 times bigger and has a much greater quantity of water. The object was also determined to be rich in the elements crucial for life, including carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen.
These observations are evidence for the existence of belt of comet-like objects orbiting the white dwarf, comparable to the Kuiper Belt that encircles the Sun at the outer reaches of our solar system. These icy bodies seemingly survived the star’s progression from being a swollen red giant to a collapsed, dense white dwarf.
Roughly 25 to 50 percent of white dwarfs are acknowledged to be dirtied with debris from rocky, asteroid-like bodies, however, this is the first time an object created from icy, comet-like material has been seen slipping into a white dwarf’s atmosphere.
Discovering Hidden Planets
The outcomes also suggest the existence of hidden planets which may have affected the belt and acted as a “bucket brigade” to attract the icy bodies into the white dwarf. The diminished star also has a partner star, which may cause objects from the belt to move in the direction of the white dwarf.
The research team that made the discovery said their observation was the first time nitrogen was found in the debris that dropped onto a white dwarf.
“Nitrogen is a very important element for life as we know it,” team member Siyi Xu of the European Southern Observatory, said in a news release. “This particular object is quite rich in nitrogen, more so than any object observed in our solar system.”
The Kuiper Belt, which stretches outward from Neptune’s orbit, is home to numerous dwarf planets, comets, and other small objects left over from the creation of the solar system. Incidentally, scientists have said comets from the Kuiper Belt may have sent water and other building blocks of life to Earth billions of years ago.
The new findings support the notion that belts of icy bodies are also in other planetary systems, and have persisted throughout their star’s development.
—–
Image credit: NASA, ESA, and Z. Levy (STScI)
The post Hubble spots white dwarf star ripping up Halley’s Comet’s big brother appeared first on Redorbit.
redOrbit.com
offers Science, Space, Technology, Health news, videos, images and reference information. For the latest science news, space news, technology news, health news visit redOrbit.com frequently. Learn something new every day.”
Source: http://www.redorbit.com/news/space/1113417346/hubble-spots-white-dwarf-star-ripping-up-halleys-comets-big-brother/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
