New study shows asteroids near white dwarfs form larger fragments first
Researchers from the Planetary Science Institute report that asteroids approaching white dwarfs do not immediately turn into dust but instead create large fragments.
Gravitational forces tear apart rocky bodies
Powerful gravity pulls on asteroids that travel too close to these stellar remnants. Previous models assumed these objects were loose piles of rubble with no internal strength. Scientists found that tiny attractive forces between grains help hold the pieces together.
A barrier limits how much debris breaks
The study identifies a kilometer-size barrier that restricts how much an asteroid can fragment. Most of the mass remains in larger chunks rather than turning instantly into dust. This finding corrects earlier assumptions about how debris forms around dying stars.
Van der Waals forces prevent total breakup
Tiny attractions between particles stop asteroids from breaking apart into smaller pieces immediately. Jordan Steckloff led the research team that discovered this overlooked step in debris formation. The results explain why disks around white dwarfs contain significant amounts of larger material.
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