Metal-Scarred Cannibal Star: A Celestial Phenomenon Unprecedented in Astronomy
TL;DR Summary
Astronomers using ESO's VLT have discovered a scar on the surface of a white dwarf star, WD 0816-310, caused by ingesting planetary debris, indicating the role of the star's magnetic field in this process. The scar is a concentration of metals from a planetary fragment, possibly as large as Vesta, and is located on one of the star's magnetic poles. This unique discovery sheds light on the dynamics of planetary systems even after the death of a star and provides insights into the bulk composition of exoplanets.
- Cannibal Star Discovered With Metal Scar – “Nothing Like This Has Been Seen Before” SciTechDaily
- Dead ‘cannibal’ star spotted with metal scar after consuming part of a planet CNN
- 'Cannibal' Star Left With Metal Scar After Swallowing Its Planet Newsweek
- Astronomers spot white dwarf star with metallic ‘scar’ The Guardian
- Zombie star earns metal scar while chewing its own planets: 'Nothing like this has been seen before' Space.com
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