Lifecycle of Stars and White Dwarfs

What happens to a star like our sun as it begins to die?

• It becomes a black hole.

• It expands into a red giant and then contracts into a white dwarf.

• It explodes in a supernova.

• It remains unchanged.

How does the transformation of a star into a red giant affect its planetary system?

• It strengthens the orbits of planets.

• It causes planets to merge.

• It has no effect on the planetary system.

• It disrupts the orbits of smaller celestial bodies like asteroids and comets.

What is likely to happen to Earth when the sun becomes a red giant?

• It will be pushed further away from the sun.

• It will be completely vaporized.

• It will become a moon of another planet.

• It will remain in its current orbit.

What is significant about the white dwarf star G23844?

• It is consuming both rocky and icy material from its planetary system.

• It has a unique color not seen in other stars.

• It is the largest white dwarf ever discovered.

• It is the closest white dwarf to Earth.

What do the observations of G23844 suggest about icy reservoirs in planetary systems?

• They are only found in the outer reaches of a system.

• They are extremely rare.

• They might be common among planetary systems.

• They only exist in our solar system.