Exoplanets Spotted Orbiting Dead Star

astroengine writes "Scientists have found a system of planets that appears to have survived being engulfed by their dying parent star. The discovery raises questions about the ultimate fate of our solar system when the sun runs out of hydrogen gas in about 5 billion years and violently transform into an expanding red giant star. Scientists believe all the planets from Earth inward will be destroyed when the sun expands, but new research suggests that if planets are large enough, they may outlast their parent star's death, even if they are engulfed."

Comments

Define "Survive" in this context

[bobcat7677]

So...your grave still exists on whats left of a scorched rock vs being completely destroyed leaving nothing but particles in space? Sounds WAY better!

Re:Define "Survive" in this context

[bobcat7677]

TFA mentioned the planets had lost significant portions of their mass to the intense heat. I doubt there would be anything left for an archaeologist to look at.

Re:Define "Survive" in this context

[mister_playboy]

I would say your grave doesn't still exist on the remaining scorched rock, which I assume is the core of the planet. Your grave would have evaporated along with the outer layers of the former surface.

Unless you have a really deep grave, anyway. :)

Re:See Star Trek TNG episode...

[fahrbot-bot]

What's wrong with focusing on fixing this planet first?

Nothing, except many of its inhabitants are short-sighted, selfish, petty, nimrods, who only care about themselves and what effects them directly, and they are, to a great extent, the ones in charge/power making decisions that affect the rest.