White Dwarfs
Researchers have discovered that tidal forces in tightly orbiting binary white dwarfs generate significant internal heat, causing the stars to expand and reach unexpectedly high temperatures. This phenomenon challenges previous models and could explain the early onset of cosmic interactions like supernovae. The findings come from a study led by Kyoto University.
Raportoinut AI
A new study suggests that Einstein's general relativity could prevent tidal heating from destabilizing rocky planets in the tight habitable zones of white dwarfs. Researchers found that orbital precession caused by the theory's effects might decouple inner planets from larger companions, allowing life to persist for trillions of years. This challenges prior models that predicted runaway greenhouse effects on such worlds.