Metallic Scar Unveils Zombie Star's Planetary Feasting
Astronomers have discovered a scar of vaporized metal on a white dwarf star's surface, revealing the remnants of a planet that was devoured by the star. This discovery suggests that the star's magnetic field plays a key role in the process of planetary consumption, funneling and holding the material in place. The findings provide new insights into how white dwarfs cannibalize pieces of their planetary systems and could lead to a better understanding of the fate of planets orbiting dying stars.