"Cannibal White Dwarf Star Bears Metal Scar from Planetary Feast"
Astronomers using the Very Large Telescope have discovered a scar on the surface of a white dwarf star, WD 0816-310, caused by the star ingesting planetary debris. This unique signature, resulting from the cannibalization of planets and asteroids, is the first of its kind seen on a white dwarf. The scar is concentrated in a specific area and is held in place by the star's magnetic field. This discovery sheds light on the dynamics of planetary systems after the death of their host stars and demonstrates the power of the VLT instrument FORS2 in studying astronomical objects.
