JWST Spots Remains of Alien Planet That Fell into a Star
Briefly

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has advanced our understanding of a stellar event first noted in 2020, initially believed to demonstrate a planet being engulfed by its star. This discovery, dubbed ZTF SLRN-2020, prompted a re-evaluation based on infrared data indicating the planet had actually spiraled into its sun. The event occurred around a sunlike star approximately 12,000 light-years away and showcases the power of modern astronomical tools to alter our perception of cosmic behaviors. Such insights could herald similar scenarios in our solar system billions of years into the future.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope revealed that instead of a star absorbing a planet, the planet spiraled into its own sun, shedding new light on cosmic events.
Initial observations suggested a dramatic scenario of a planet being absorbed by a star; however, deeper investigation indicates the planet's fate was a direct spiral into its sun.
The stellar event, cataloged as ZTF SLRN-2020, initially excited astronomers as unique, but the detailed follow-up implied a much more common phenomenon in celestial dynamics.
The findings underscore the importance of continuous observation and modern technology in astronomy, enabling scientists to refine their understanding of such spectacular cosmic occurrences.
Read at www.scientificamerican.com
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