Astronomers Identify X-Ray Signal as Evidence of Planet Destroyed by White Dwarf

A decades-old mystery in the Helix Nebula reveals a Jupiter-sized planet torn apart by its dying star.

Astronomers have linked a mysterious X-ray signal from the Helix Nebula to the destruction of a Jupiter-sized planet by a white dwarf star.
The white dwarf, WD 2226-210, is located 650 light-years away and is at the center of the Helix Nebula, a planetary nebula formed by the ejected outer layers of a dying star.
The planet is thought to have migrated inward due to gravitational interactions with other planets before being torn apart by the white dwarf's gravity.
X-ray observations from NASA and ESA telescopes show consistent brightness over decades, with subtle variations suggesting remnants of the planet remain close to the star.
If confirmed, this would be the first documented case of a planet being destroyed by a white dwarf in a planetary nebula, offering insights into planetary survival around aging stars.