Farihi, J., Gänsicke, B. T. (Boris T.) and Koester, Detlev (2013) Evidence for water in the rocky debris of a disrupted extrasolar minor planet. Science, Volume 342 (Number 6155). pp. 218-220. doi:10.1126/science.1239447 ISSN 0036-8075.

Research output not available from this repository.

Request-a-Copy directly from author or use local Library Get it For Me service.

Request Changes to record.

Abstract

The existence of water in extrasolar planetary systems is of great interest because it constrains the potential for habitable planets and life. We have identified a circumstellar disk that resulted from the destruction of a water-rich and rocky extrasolar minor planet. The parent body formed and evolved around a star somewhat more massive than the Sun, and the debris now closely orbits the white dwarf remnant of the star. The stellar atmosphere is polluted with metals accreted from the disk, including oxygen in excess of that expected for oxide minerals, indicating that the parent body was originally composed of 26% water by mass. This finding demonstrates that water-bearing planetesimals exist around A- and F-type stars that end their lives as white dwarfs.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Science > Physics
Journal or Publication Title:	Science
Publisher:	American Association for the Advancement of Science
ISSN:	0036-8075
Official Date:	11 October 2013
Dates:	Date Event 11 October 2013 Published 15 August 2013 Accepted
Volume:	Volume 342
Number:	Number 6155
Page Range:	pp. 218-220
DOI:	10.1126/science.1239447
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access

Request changes or add full text files to a record

Repository staff actions (login required)

View Item