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Scientists Spot End of World

Remains of solar systems discovered around dead stars

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 21, 2009 2:50 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Astronomers looking at dead stars trillions of miles away believe they have glimpsed Earth's eventual fate, the Times of London reports. The scientists found that many white dwarfs—stars that swelled, burned out, and collapsed—are surrounded by a dust they think is the remnants of planets like ours destroyed in the stars' death throes.

"Many of the systems we are studying will have been similar to our own," said a researcher, who estimates up to 3% of white dwarfs once had solar systems. "It’s a possibility that some of them could once have held life.”

A new image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope showing a turbulent star-forming region.
A new image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope showing a turbulent star-forming region.   (AP Photo/NASA/JPL)
Stars peek out from beneath a blanket of dust in this image of the Rho Ophiuchi dark cloud from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope.
Stars peek out from beneath a blanket of dust in this image of the Rho Ophiuchi dark cloud from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope.   (AP Photo/NASA)
This image taken by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope shows us what our own solar system might have looked like billions of years ago.
This image taken by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope shows us what our own solar system might have looked like billions of years ago.   (AP Photo/NASA)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
jaguarj
Apr 21, 2009 12:59 PM CDT
Ya...thanks for the "warning"!!
Rob
Apr 21, 2009 12:39 PM CDT
Riiight
Robert_Dada
Apr 21, 2009 12:17 PM CDT
We must never fully get off this planet and ruin the rest of the universe. We are a disease.

Dead stars once had solar systems
MSNBC

 
planet • dwarf star • star • Earth • Spitzer orbiting telescope • solar system • outer space

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