A white dwarf is a dead star that slowly cools down until it fades into oblivion. Yet it has been predicted that habitable planets can orbit a white dwarf. If we could somehwo detect these planets, would we also be able to spot signs of life?
http://news.yahoo.com/alien-life-could-detectable-planets-around-dying-stars-160731842.html;_ylt=AjgoFeLXSe2hnvxvnBxbZEcPLBIF;_ylu=X3oDMTNtbGRoNjIzBG1pdAMEcGtnAzFmNjI1MjY4LTUyYTItMzAwNy04YTAwLTZlOGJmZTkyZDQ3ZQRwb3MDNgRzZWMDbG5fU3BhY2VBc3Ryb25vbXlfZ2FsBHZlcgM0MjAyMmVjMS04NGU2LTExZTItYmE1Yi01OGFjZjc1NzgzOTI-;_ylg=X3oDMTBhYWM1a2sxBGxhbmcDZW4tVVM-;_ylv=3