First-ever observation of a star devouring a planet, Earth's fate predicted in 5 billion years.
TL;DR Summary
Scientists have observed a star swallowing a gas giant planet, which is the first time such an event has been directly observed. The star had been expanding for eons and finally engulfed the planet. This is a preview of what will happen to Earth in about 5 billion years when our sun becomes a red giant. The swallow itself was quite brief, occurring in one fell swoop. Astronomers suspect thousands of planets around other stars will suffer the same fate as this one did, and eventually, so will our solar system.
- A star is seen swallowing a planet "in one gulp" for the first time. Earth will likely suffer the same fate in 5 billion years. CBS News
- What It Looks Like When a Dying Star Eats a Planet The New York Times
- Astronomers catch a star swallowing a planet (for the first time) Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Astronomers observe star swallowing planet for first time -- and it's the size of Jupiter CNN
- Planetary Death Spiral caltech
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