(ORDO NEWS) — Another study by specialists made it possible to study in detail the atmospheres belonging to four different white dwarfs. They are the cores of stars that were once quite massive.
The team of scientists managed to record not only helium and hydrogen in the atmosphere of white dwarfs, but also lithium, potassium, and sodium.
These substances, as a rule, are present in large quantities in the crust of planets.
Mark Hollands of the University of Warwick said that they compared the set of detected elements with different planetary materials before drawing any definite conclusions.
Experts have suggested that all dimmed stars could have been located many years ago in the very center of systems that are no different from the one in which we live.
Before dying, stars not only tore their systems to pieces, but also absorbed what was left of them. Researchers believe that a similar future awaits the Solar System.
Stars gradually burn their fuel and then begin shedding their outer layers. Only the white core remains after that.
White dwarfs have a high gravitational attraction and at the very beginning have a huge temperature. Gradually, the objects become colder, begin to dim.
Due to this, scientists can see more waves in the atmosphere, which allows to learn its detailed composition.
Studies have shown that most white dwarfs’ atmospheres contain hydrogen and helium, but in some cases traces of other elements may be present.
This happens due to the fact that the star’s gravity begins to attract extraneous materials from the surrounding space.
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