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2w ago

James Webb Telescope Captures First Direct Observation of Planet Consumed by Star

Groundbreaking infrared data reveals a planet’s gradual orbital decay into its host star, challenging previous theories on stellar engulfment.

An artist's concept of the planet's orbit of the star. Illustration: NASA, ESA, CSA, Ralf Crawford (STScI)
(Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, Ralf Crawford (STScI))

Overview

  • NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope provided the first direct observation of a planet being consumed by its host star, marking a milestone in astrophysics.
  • The planet, similar in size to Jupiter, experienced a gradual orbital decay over millions of years before being engulfed by the star ZTF SLRN-2020, located 12,000 light years away.
  • High-resolution data from JWST’s MIRI and NIRSpec instruments revealed the planet’s descent began as it grazed the star’s atmosphere, triggering a runaway collapse.
  • The event produced observable features, including a hot disk of molecular gas and a ring of cold dust formed from expelled material cooling over time.
  • This discovery offers transformative insights into the evolution and ultimate fate of planetary systems, including potential implications for our own solar system.