Astronomers spot white dwarf star with two rings of planetary debris

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WASHINGTON, Nov 7 : Billions of years from now, the sun is expected to run out of fuel and greatly expand into what is called a red giant, eventually shedding its outer layers and leaving behind its dense core, a white dwarf. Some of the planets in our solar system would be destroyed while others might survive.

Researchers have now spotted a white dwarf with planetary debris swirling around it in an unusual configuration that may offer a peek into one possible outcome for our solar system in the distant future.

Unlike in similar systems previously observed, the debris disc surrounding this white dwarf appears to consist of two distinct rings. The researchers said the disc may have been shaped by two planetary or smaller rocky bodies that are embedded in the rings after managing to survive the star's violent death throes.

The white dwarf, named J1328−1450, is located in the Milky Way…

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