Astronomers Witness Star Devouring Planet: Possible Preview of the Ultimate Fate of Earth (VIDEO)

Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)

Caption

Astronomers using the Gemini South telescope in Chile, operated by NSF’s NOIRLab, have observed the first compelling evidence of a dying Sun-like star engulfing an exoplanet. The “smoking gun” of this event was seen in a long and low-energy outburst from the star — the telltale signature of a planet skimming along a star’s surface. This never-before-seen process may herald the ultimate fate of Earth when our own Sun nears the end of its life in about five billion years.

Credit

International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/M. Garlick/M. Zamani/N. Bartmann

Usage Restrictions

No restrictions.

License

CC0

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