The Facts
The planet 8 Ursae Minoris b, which was discovered in 2015, was never supposed to have been visible as it should have been engulfed by a nearby dying star. Scientists now believe they know how the planet survived.
According to a study published in the journal Nature, the lifespan of 8 Ursae Minoris, the star accompanying the gas giant planet, was supposed to run out and engulf its orbital neighbor.
The Spin
Narrative A
This star binary theory has been accepted for years, leading scientists to believe that our Sun once had its own companion. Researchers have also said they found an exact twin 184 light-years away, which could mean the existence of the Neptune-sized Planet Nine and possibly that may suggest the presence of another body in our celestial neighborhood. Planets are showing themselves to be cunning at evading cosmic catastrophe.
Narrative B
This finding also supports another hypothesis — resilient plants in binary systems may be a good place to search for life. These systems very likely contain the building blocks of life, and astronomers may want to focus on these instead of just on solar systems that look like our own. 8 Ursae Minoris b itself may not be brimming with life, but other planets in binary systems be worth a close look for exobiologists.