Planet-devouring star reveals possible limestone crumbs
Tuesday, June 14, 2016 - 04:31
in Astronomy & Space
A group of researchers using the W. M. Keck Observatory have discovered a planet-like body that may have been encrusted in limestone and is having its surface layers devoured by its deceased host star. In addition to extending a relatively new method of determining the chemical composition of planets to examine their internal structure, the team found that the rocky material being accreted by the star could be comprised of minerals that are typically associated with marine life processes here on Earth. The team – comprised of Carl Melis of University of California, San Diego and Patrick Dufour of the Universitie de Montreal – is announcing their findings at the 228th meeting of the American Astronomical Society this week.