Scientists Observe Star Devouring Planet, Foreshadowing Earth’s Fate
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For the first time, scientists have observed a star consuming a planet, providing them with a glimpse of Earth’s eventual fate. The violent incident occurred in our galaxy, approximately 12,000 light-years away, and astronomers saw a star grow to be 100 times brighter in just 10 days before fading away. Researchers believe that the star, which is around 0.8 to 1.5 times the mass of our sun, consumed a planet between one and ten times the mass of Jupiter. Astronomers believe that much of the planet’s material was ejected into the universe, which could help form new stars or planets.
The findings were stumbled upon by researchers from the Zwicky Transient Facility while searching for signs of stellar binaries. The observations of brightening were not similar to these objects, and they appeared to be a star that had rapidly brightened and faded. Infrared data and observations from other telescopes showed that the star was not only brightening in optical light but also in infrared, which suggests that there was dust present. These observations helped scientists to piece together the story of the star, which had expanded to a much larger size, and the bright flash was the trace of the planet being destroyed and flinging dust around.
The lead author of the study, Kishalay De from MIT, stated, “We are seeing the future of the Earth.” When the Sun expands to its last stage, it is expected to consume Earth, resulting in similar signals. The study provides a better understanding of what happens as other planetary systems reach their end and what will happen to ours.
Re-reported from the story originally published in The Independent
