A new image from NASA reveals a dying white dwarf star at the center of the Helix Nebula, which may have killed an orbiting planet. The star’s violent behavior is causing strange X-ray emissions in the region. The Helix Nebula, 650 light-years from Earth, is the remains of a dying star that’s shedding its outer gas layers into space.
The new image combines data from various NASA telescopes and shows the remnants of the dying white dwarf star. It suggests that this star may have consumed an orbiting planet that flew too close to its dying sun. Tidal forces pulled the planet apart, causing powerful X-ray flares. The star will eventually cool down and disappear as a white dwarf.
Similar to our sun, which is also expected to become a white dwarf in about 5 billion years, this star’s behavior may be responsible for strange emissions. However, there’s no immediate danger from this event, as it won’t happen until the sun reaches its final stage.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/space/astronomy/jaw-dropping-nasa-image-reveals-a-dying-star-at-the-heart-of-the-helix-nebula-and-it-may-have-just-murdered-a-planet