Distant Sun-Like Star Hints at Planet Collision
TL;DR
Astronomers analyzing Gaia20ehk, a sun-like star about 11,000 light-years away, observed erratic dimming in visible light with a simultaneous infrared brightening, consistent with a violent collision between two planets that produced hot dust and debris; the event may resemble the Earth–Moon formation, and Rubin Observatory surveys could reveal many more such collisions to illuminate planetary system evolution.
- Astronomers think they just witnessed two planets colliding ScienceDaily
- Astronomers collect rare evidence of two planets colliding Phys.org
- Astronomers Witness Aftermath of Catastrophic Planetary Collision Sci.News
- Astronomers Capture Rare Evidence of Two Planets Colliding vocal.media
- Astronomers witness a planetary collision for the first time, 11,000 light-years from Earth La Brújula Verde
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