NLTT 43806 System

Exoplanetary Scratchpad [SysBP Img]

White Dwarf with evidence of a planetary collision similar in scale to a Mars-like planet striking an Earth-like planet, similar to the collision thought to create the Moon. The star is unique in that it is the only white dwarf with very high Aluminum abundance and relatively low Iron abundance. Its theorized that Aluminum, common in the outer parts of a planet, was knocked off during the collision and got swallowed by the star, while the Iron core remained in tact. The collision would have occurred very recently 50 million years ago.

NLTT 43806 System In the News

Possible Earth-Mar-like Collision

• http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2011/08/earth-mars-collision-may-have-ha.html?ref=hp
• http://www.europaplus.tv/2011/08/an-aluminumcalcium-rich-iron-poor-white-dwarf-star-evidence-for-an-extrasolar-planetary-lithosphere/
• http://io9.com/5830656/the-collision-that-created-earths-moon-is-reenacted-around-an-alien-star
• http://arxiv.org/abs/1107.2167