Zombie Planet Remnants Found Around White Dwarf

Astronomers discover two shattered planetary remnants orbiting a dead star located 1,600 light-years away.

Astronomers have uncovered the husks of two zombie planets navigating through the debris around a deceased star, or white dwarf, designated J1328−1450. Located roughly 1,600 light-years from Earth, the planetary system reveals distinct gaps in its surrounding debris field that point directly to these shattered remnants. Estimates indicate that one remnant is comparable in size to a solar system asteroid, while the other ranges between the dimensions of Earth's Moon and the dwarf planet Pluto.

This haunting cosmic graveyard provides critical insights into the violent post-stellar evolution of planetary systems. Studying these white dwarf debris fields offers astronomers a unique window into the long-term fate of planetary architecture across the universe.