Could life exist on white dwarf planets? New study reveals surprising possibilities

Could Life Exist on White Dwarf Planets?

In billions of years, our Sun will expand into a red giant, likely engulfing Earth before shrinking into a white dwarf—a dense, glowing stellar remnant. While this process destroys most planets, some may survive and even harbor life, according to new research.

Scientists have discovered over a dozen planets orbiting white dwarfs, proving that not all worlds perish when their stars die. Although the habitable zone of a white dwarf is different from that of a regular star, it does exist. White dwarfs remain warm for billions of years, and planets within this zone could potentially sustain liquid water—a key ingredient for life. For white dwarfs with about 60% of the Sun’s mass, this habitable zone could persist for nearly 7 billion years, providing ample time for life to evolve.

However, warmth alone doesn’t guarantee life. The spectrum of light from white dwarfs shifts more toward ultraviolet than visible light, but researchers suggest this wouldn't prevent Earth-like photosynthesis. Planets in this zone would need to orbit close to the white dwarf, similar to planets around red dwarf stars like TRAPPIST-1.

Detecting life on these planets is challenging but possible. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is sensitive enough to analyze the atmospheres of planets orbiting white dwarfs. By studying light passing through their atmospheres, scientists could detect biosignatures—chemical markers of life.

Although the chances of finding life on these planets are slim, the possibility is worth exploring. Surviving planets would need to stabilize their orbits, retain water-rich atmospheres, and avoid destruction during the red giant phase. Despite the odds, white dwarf planets offer a fascinating opportunity to search for life beyond Earth.