White dwarf WD 0810-353 cannot destroy Earth - error found in Gaia telescope data
A pair of Russian astronomers predicted the demise of Earth due to the wandering star WD 0810-353. But the end of the world has been cancelled for now.
Here's What We Know
The Russians used the Gaia telescope to study the white dwarf. After examining the data obtained by the astronomical satellite, they suggested that the wandering star will destroy our planet in 29,000 years. It is currently 36 light years away from us.
According to the telescope data, WD 0810-353 would not have crashed into Earth but would have travelled about 4.6 trillion kilometres from the Sun. Instead, it would have dropped a hail of asteroids and comets on the entire solar system.
Astronomers of the Southern European Observatory doubted the conclusion of Russian scientists and decided to check everything. As it turned out, the telescope incorrectly measured the rate of approach of WD 0810-353 and the solar system. It is possible that the wandering star will fly in a completely different direction.
On the one hand, the fact that the Earth will exist for more than 29,000 years is gratifying. On the other hand, scientists now have questions about other data that was obtained with the Gaia telescope.
Source: New Atlas
