Astronomers have recorded for the first time the exact moment a star swallowed an entire planet. The phenomenon occurred in a star similar to Sol located about 12 thousand light years from Terra, in the direction of the constellation of Águia. The observation was made possible by a sudden increase in brightness that lasted about 500 days and a cold cloud of gas and dust detected later.
The event happened when the star, in an expansion phase at the end of its life, brought its outer envelope closer to the planet that was orbiting very close. Stellar gravity destroyed and absorbed the planetary body, releasing energy equivalent to thousands of times the star’s normal brightness.
How researchers detected the phenomenon
The signal was initially identified by the Zwicky Transient Facility telescope, at Observatório Palomar, at Califórnia. Um intense optical flash caught the attention of scientists in 2020.
Then, observations with the Keck observatory, at Havaí, confirmed the presence of chemical elements typical of planets such as hydrogen and helium in the star’s atmosphere.
- Brightness increase lasted approximately 500 days
- Cold dust cloud formed years after flash
- The star’s temperature dropped from 6,000°C to around 100°C at the event site
- Metallic elements were incorporated into the stellar composition
Features of the destroyed planet
The planet had an estimated mass between one and ten times that of Júpiter. Ele orbited the star at a distance less than 1.5 times the current radius of Sol.
The proximity caused the planet to be swallowed during the star’s red giant phase. Smaller Planetas could produce weaker, harder-to-detect signals.
Differences between small and large planets
Planets the size of Terra cause subtle changes in stellar luminosity. Corpos larger ones, like gas giants, generate more visible energy explosions.
The amount of ejected material also varies depending on the mass of the planet. Eventos with small planets may go unnoticed in current observations.
What the case reveals about stellar evolution
Stars like Sol expand as they run out of hydrogen in their cores. Essa expansion can reach inner planet orbits in billions of years.
The observed phenomenon confirms theoretical models about the merger of stellar envelopes. The incorporation of planetary material permanently changes the chemical composition of the star.
Implications for Sistema Solar
Sol will go through a similar phase in about 5 billion years. Mercúrio and Vênus will certainly be swallowed at this stage.
The orbit of Terra may be affected, depending on the loss of solar mass. The recorded event serves as a direct example of the process that will occur in the future.
Advances in detecting similar events
New telescopes like the Rubin Observatory will increase the ability to identify similar cases. Centenas of events can be recorded in the coming years.
Combining optical and infrared data improves the accuracy of observations. Current Técnicas allow swallowing to be distinguished from other transient phenomena.
