Earth-Like Planet Found Orbiting Distant Star, But There's A Major Catch

The search for a second Earth within the Milky Way is ongoing, but a recently discovered planet falls short of the mark.

Scientists have made a new finding that provides a fascinating insight into the future of our solar system. A new exoplanet, about 1.9 times the mass of Earth, has been discovered around a white dwarf star, according to ScienceAlert. This extraordinary discovery throws light on the possible fate of our own planet as the Sun finally turns into a white dwarf.

Despite the planet's hostile conditions caused by the star's destructive red giant phase, the discovery provides insights into planetary evolution. White dwarfs, which are leftovers of stars such as the Sun, arise following the red giant period. This study, led by Keming Zhang of the University of California, focusses on how planets might survive this chaotic period, expanding our understanding of planetary survival and evolution.

"The simplest explanation is that the planet survived through the red giant host star," Zhang told ScienceAlert.