Star Devours Jupiter-Sized Planet in Historic First Observation
TL;DR
Scientists have observed a star swallowing a gas giant planet around the size of Jupiter or bigger, in a first-of-its-kind observation. The star had been expanding for eons and finally engulfed the close-orbiting planet. The event occurred between 10,000 and 15,000 years ago near the Aquila constellation. The swallow itself was quite brief, occurring in essentially one fell swoop. Astronomers suspect thousands of planets around other stars will suffer the same fate, including our solar system in about 5 billion years when our sun morphs into a red giant and gobbles the four inner planets.
- In a galactic first, star seen swallowing planet in one gulp The Associated Press
- Astronomers catch a star swallowing a planet (for the first time) Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- What It Looks Like When a Dying Star Eats a Planet The New York Times
- Planetary Death Spiral caltech
- Astronomers observe star swallowing planet for first time -- and it's the size of Jupiter CNN
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on The Associated Press