A team of astronomers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University recently made a groundbreaking discovery. They observed a Sun-like star that had consumed an entire planet. This shocking finding has sent ripples through the scientific community and raised questions about the fate of our own planet.
The star, known as TOI-257, is located roughly 730 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Hydra. It was first discovered by NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) in 2019. The astronomers used TESS data, as well as observations from the Keck Observatory in Hawaii, to study the star in more detail.
What they found was surprising. TOI-257’s chemical composition was inconsistent with what they would expect to find in a star of its age and type. Specifically, the star had high levels of lithium, which is typically burned off in young stars. This led the team to believe that the star had swallowed a planet rich in lithium, causing a surge in the element’s abundance.
The team’s findings were published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters in April 2021. They believe that the star’s planetary meal was likely a gas giant, similar to Jupiter. Over time, the planet’s orbit would have decayed, causing it to spiral into the star’s outer layers. The heat and pressure of the star’s atmosphere would have then caused the planet to vaporize and be absorbed into the star’s core.
This discovery has raised questions about the fate of our own planet. While it is highly unlikely that our Sun would consume Earth, the team’s findings show that it is possible for stars to swallow planets. As our own star ages, it will expand and grow hotter, potentially making it more likely to engulf planets in its outer orbit.
The discovery of TOI-257’s planetary meal is a reminder of the vastness and complexity of the universe. While this particular event is rare, it is a testament to the power and capability of modern astronomical technology. As we continue to explore the cosmos, we are sure to uncover more surprises and revelations.