"Revealing the Dark Secrets of Cosmic Cannibalism at the Heart of the Milky Way"

New evidence suggests that stars in the Milky Way's galactic center appear much younger than they actually are due to cosmic cannibalism, where collisions and mergers allow some stars to collect more hydrogen and masquerade as rejuvenated, young-looking stars. The study, based on simulations, found that interactions between stars near the supermassive black hole result in grazing collisions, while those further away lead to violent mergers creating larger, short-lived stars. This process explains the absence of old red giant stars in the galactic center and sheds light on the complex dynamics of this unique cosmic environment.