Astronomers Solve Cosmic Cold Case with NASA Hubble Data

October 5, 2026 · 3:00 pm 5 sources

Image: NASA

Coverage

Wires & papers of record

• Suspected Second-generation Planet Solves NASA Hubble Cold Case
  NASA · October 5, 2026 15:00
  New analysis of archival Hubble data points to the possibility of “dead” white dwarf stars hosting second-generation planetary systems.
• Astronomers Solve Cosmic Cold Case with NASA Hubble Data
  NASA · October 6, 2026 16:09
  Diligent sleuthing by astronomers uncovered a surprising chemical clue that indicates the white dwarf star HS 0209+0832 may host a second-generation planet. This artist’s concept released on Oct. 5, 2026, depicts that possible explanation. The white dwarf is the “dead” core of a star that burned…

Coverage

• A ‘phoenix’ planet was born from the ashes of its dead star
  Science News · October 5, 2026 15:00
  Finding the potential planet hints that our sun’s death could lead to the creation of new worlds.

More coverage

• The phoenix planet: Astronomers find a world reborn from its star's ashes
  Phys.org · October 5, 2026 15:00
  Astronomers have discovered the first example of a second-generation planet orbiting a white dwarf, a world that appears to have formed from the remains of the dead star it now orbits.
• Astronomers catch a star slowly snacking on a brown dwarf, 300 light years away
  Phys.org · October 5, 2026 20:40
  Like Earth, most planetary bodies circle their star in stable, detached orbits. These companionable systems can suddenly change when a planet comes too close to its star. In such a close encounter, a star can pull the planet in and swallow it whole.