Evidence for an Anhydrous Carbonaceous Extrasolar Minor Planet
M. Jura, P. Dufour, S. Xu, B. Zuckerman, B. Klein, E. D. Young, C., Melis
TL;DR
This study analyzes the composition of an extrasolar minor planet accreted by a white dwarf, revealing it was carbon-rich and water-poor, similar to Kuiper Belt Objects with little ice.
Contribution
It provides the first detailed elemental abundance analysis of an extrasolar minor planet, revealing its composition and water content.
Findings
The minor planet was at least 60% as massive as Vesta.
It was carbon-rich and water-poor.
Its composition resembles Kuiper Belt Objects with little ice.
Abstract
Using Keck/HIRES, we report abundances of 11 different elements heavier than helium in the spectrum of Ton 345, a white dwarf that has accreted one of its own minor planets. This particular extrasolar planetesimal which was at least 60% as massive as Vesta appears to have been carbon-rich and water-poor; we suggest it was compositionally similar to those Kuiper Belt Objects with relatively little ice.
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