Explore the fascinating world of white dwarfs and their role in understanding rocky exoplanets and exo-asteroids in this 43-minute conference talk from the 2021 KITP Teachers' Conference. Delve into the latest observational data from satellites like Gaia, Kepler, and TESS, which have revolutionized our understanding of these dense stellar remnants. Learn about white dwarf structure, pollution, and how they serve as cosmic laboratories for studying the composition of distant planetary systems. Discover evidence for transiting debris around white dwarfs and the implications for planetary survival post-stellar evolution. Gain insights into the elemental fingerprints left by exoplanets and asteroids on white dwarf atmospheres, including the presence of water and other key elements. Understand how white dwarf research contributes to broader astrophysical questions, from exoplanet studies to measuring the Universe's expansion rate. Engage with the latest findings and emerging puzzles in this exciting field of astrophysics, presented by JJ Hermes as part of the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics' outreach efforts. Read more