X-ray Signal from Helix Nebula Suggests Planet Was Destroyed by White Dwarf

Observations suggest a planet may have been destroyed by the white dwarf WD 2226-210 in the Helix Nebula.

Advertisement
Written by Gadgets 360 Staff | Updated: 6 March 2025 20:58 IST
Highlights
  • Helix Nebula’s X-ray emissions linked to planetary destruction
  • White dwarf WD 2226-210 may be accreting planetary debris
  • Researchers suggest a Jupiter-like planet was torn apart
X-ray Signal from Helix Nebula Suggests Planet Was Destroyed by White Dwarf

In 5 billion years, the sun will expand, forming a planetary nebula like the Helix Nebula.

Photo Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO/Univ Mexico/S

An unusual X-ray signal detected from the Helix Nebula for over four decades has now been linked to the destruction of a planet by the white dwarf at its center. Observations from multiple X-ray telescopes have recorded highly energetic emissions from the region, which astronomers believe result from planetary debris being pulled onto the stellar remnant. The white dwarf, WD 2226-210, located around 650 light-years away, has displayed unexpected X-ray activity despite such objects not typically emitting strong radiation. The latest findings offer crucial insights into planetary survival around aging stars.

Findings from the Study

According to the study published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and ESA's XMM-Newton have provided a clearer understanding of the phenomenon. Reports indicate that previous missions, including the Einstein X-ray Observatory and ROSAT, first detected the high-energy X-rays from the white dwarf. The persistence of this emission has led researchers to conclude that planetary material is likely being accreted onto the star's surface.

Speaking to Phys.org, lead author Sandino Estrada-Dorado from the National Autonomous University of Mexico stated that the signal could represent "the death knell from a planet that was destroyed by the white dwarf."

Possible Origins of the Disrupted Planet

Previous research had suggested the presence of a Neptune-sized planet orbiting the white dwarf in under three days. The latest study points to the likelihood of an even larger planet, comparable to Jupiter, having been torn apart by the star's gravitational pull. Reports suggest the planet could have originally been further away but gradually moved inward due to gravitational interactions with other planetary bodies in the system.

Advertisement

Co-author Martin Guerrero from the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia told Phys.org that debris from the shattered planet may be falling onto the white dwarf's surface, generating the observed X-ray emissions. If confirmed, this would mark the first recorded instance of a planet being destroyed within a planetary nebula.

A New Class of X-ray Emitting White Dwarfs?

Observations indicate that the X-ray brightness of WD 2226-210 has remained largely stable across different missions, with subtle fluctuations recorded at intervals of approximately 2.9 hours. Reports suggest this could be evidence of planetary remnants in extreme proximity to the white dwarf.
Alternative explanations, including the destruction of a low-mass star instead of a planet, have also been considered. However, sources indicate that such stars, though similar in size to Jupiter-like planets, possess significantly more mass, making their disintegration by a white dwarf far less probable.

Advertisement

The study also draws parallels with two other white dwarfs that exhibit similar X-ray behavior. One appears to be slowly pulling material from a planetary companion, while the other is believed to be accreting remnants of a former planet. These findings have led researchers to suggest the possibility of a newly identified category of variable white dwarfs.

Co-author Jesús Toala from the National Autonomous University of Mexico told Phys.org that identifying more such systems could enhance understanding of planetary destruction and survival in aging star systems.

Advertisement

 

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Advertisement
Popular Mobile Brands
  1. OnePlus 13 Series Gets AI-Powered Plus Mind Feature With Latest Update
  2. Tesla Officially Enters India With the Launch of Tesla Model Y: See Price
  3. Realme 15 Pro 5G Display, Battery Details Confirmed Ahead of India Launch
  4. Up to 70 Percent Discount on Headphones During Amazon Prime Day Sale 2025
  5. Amazon Prime Day Sale 2025 Highlights: Top Last-Minute Deals on Day 3
  6. Chinese Android Phone Brands Testing 3D Face Recognition: Report
  7. Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold May Offer Larger Cover Display, Faster Charging
  8. Realme 15 Pro 5G to Get 50-Megapixel Sony IMX896 Main Rear Camera
  9. Grok Will Now Let You Chat With a Goth Anime Girl That Has an NSFW Mode
  1. Chinese Android Phone Brands Said to Be Testing Under-Display Cameras and 3D Face Unlock
  2. Realme 15 Pro 5G to Get 50-Megapixel Sony IMX896 Main Rear Camera
  3. Elon Musk’s Grok Adds AI Companion Feature That Includes an NSFW Mode for Animated Avatars
  4. Oppo K13 Turbo, K13 Turbo Pro Design, Colour Options Revealed Ahead of July 21 Launch
  5. Tesla Model Y Price in India Announced; Tesla App for iOS Available to Download
  6. iPhone 17 Components Arrive in India; Mass Production Expected to Begin in August: Report
  7. Vivo Y50 5G, Vivo Y50m 5G Appear on China Telecom Site With MediaTek Dimensity 6300 SoC, 6,000mAh Battery
  8. Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold Said to Get Larger Battery, Faster Charging and Bigger Cover Display
  9. Nothing Phone 3 and Headphone 1 Sale in India Begins Today: Price, Offers
  10. OnePlus 13 Series Update Brings Plus Mind Feature for Quickly Storing Information in Mind Space
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2025. All rights reserved.