Researchers published a study in Nature Astronomy on Monday, October 5, reporting the first-ever evidence of a planet born from the remains of its dead star, located about 270 light-years from Earth. Scientists assessed observations from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and other instruments to find chemical traces suggesting the gas giant condensed from material expelled as the white dwarf, called HS 0209+0832, died.
The telltale sign of the new world made from stellar debris was an unusual abundance of heavy elements, including niobium, raining down onto the white dwarf. Lead author Jamie Williams, a doctoral student at the University of Warwick, stated that the planetary material is very rich in niobium, marking the first time the element is found in a white dwarf.
Data from NASA's TESS mission also suggested a faint brightness repeating every 4.4 days, consistent with a giant planet orbiting the white dwarf. Williams cautioned that the planet is a candidate rather than confirmed, but noted that verification could suggest more second-generation planets exist around white dwarfs and preview our solar system's future.