Planetary Fates as Sun Transitions to White Dwarf Explored in New Study
London, UK (SPX) Apr 10, 2024 -
As our Sun ages and evolves into a white dwarf, the planets within our solar system face drastically different futures.While Earth's destiny-whether engulfed or spared by the expanding Sun-remains uncertain, it's clear that Mercury and Venus are likely to be consumed, according to insights from a new study published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Although Earth might escape complete destruction, it would still lose its atmosphere and oceans, rendering it inhospitable. The study suggests that some of Jupiter's moons could also meet a chaotic end, dislodged and destroyed as the Sun depletes its energy reserves.
Researchers have formulated this grim outlook for our solar system based on analysis of other planetary systems observed around white dwarfs.
The fate of Earth hinges on its ability to outpace the expanding Sun, a scenario Professor Boris Gaensicke from the University of Warwick finds uncertain. Should Earth be engulfed, Mars and the gas giants could continue orbiting the resulting white dwarf.
The process also threatens surviving asteroids and moons with fragmentation, ultimately contributing debris to the white dwarf.
This study also highlights the violence and unpredictability faced by bodies orbiting white dwarfs. As these celestial bodies pass by, their transit events-signified by changes in star brightness-can be irregular and chaotic, differing significantly from the transits of planets around other stars.
Professor Gaensicke pointed out the fascinating yet erratic nature of these transits, underscoring the rapidly evolving behaviors observed in these systems. The research team monitored changes in the brightness of three white dwarfs over 17 years to study these phenomena.
The results indicate a complex and rapid evolution of these systems, challenging previous understandings and highlighting the unpredictable nature of stellar end stages.
Despite the steady state of some white dwarfs, evidence of catastrophic events has emerged, such as a significant disruption noted in 2010 around one of the studied white dwarfs. Another showed unpredictable dimming, suggesting ongoing dynamic processes within these stellar remnants.
As our own solar system progresses toward this ultimate phase, the insights gleaned from these studies help paint a picture of the future challenges for planetary and celestial body survival.
Research Report:Long-term variability in debris transiting white dwarfs