Study Finds More Habitable Exoplanets Around White Dwarf Stars

Astronomers at the University of California, Irvine, have discovered that a larger number of white dwarf stars than previously thought could support habitable exoplanets, according to a study published in The Astrophysical Journal. Using a 3D global climate model, the researchers found that exoplanets orbiting white dwarfs could be warmer than those around main sequence stars like Kepler-62, primarily due to their closer habitable zones. The study highlights the importance of planetary rotation characteristics in determining habitability. In a related study, UCL researchers revealed that stellar activity, such as temperature fluctuations on star surfaces, can significantly distort observations of exoplanets, leading to misinterpretations of their size and atmospheric composition. This stellar variability can complicate the analysis of exoplanets, emphasizing the need for improved observational techniques. The findings underscore the growing complexity of studying exoplanets as the field advances.