Astronomers discover double debris disc around white dwarf J1328−1450

Astronomers using the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope have discovered a rare double debris disc surrounding the white dwarf J1328−1450. This stellar remnant, located approximately 1,600 light-years from Earth, provides a unique glimpse into the potential future of our own solar system.

Unlike previously observed white dwarf systems that feature a single, continuous ring of debris, this system contains two distinct concentric rings of gas separated by a clear gap. The research, published in Nature Astronomy, suggests that the complex structure is maintained by two surviving planetary bodies, or planetesimals, orbiting in different paths. One body is estimated to be similar in size to a typical asteroid, while the other may be as large as Pluto or the Moon.

Chemical analysis of the rings revealed asymmetric compositions, with one ring being rich in magnesium while the other is not. This indicates the debris originated from different celestial bodies. The discovery highlights how planetary systems undergo violent transformations as their central stars exhaust their fuel and expand, potentially leaving behind complex structures of rocky remnants.