Sun-Like Stars Eat Their Earth-Like Planets Frequently, Say Scientists
The Sun is the central star of our solar system, serving as the source of natural light for all planets and organisms that exist in its vicinity. Now, a new research explains how massive stars like our dear Sun eat the planets suspended in its orbit every now and then.
In our solar system, the planets encircle the Sun in a fixed orbit which hasn't changed much since the inception of these cosmic bodies. But other solar system did not enjoy the privilege of such peaceful existence which nourished life on Earth.?
Suns that love eating their own planets
A research undertaken by a team of international scientists for The Conversation and published in Nature Astronomy found that between 20-30 per cent of all Sun-like stars eat their own planets, with 27 per cent being the most probable figure of cannibal stars.?
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In many solar systems, the planetary pathways are not as stable as our own.?In fact, the gravity of some planets may have contributed to the movement of other space bodies - making their orbits unstable.?
In this process, many planets seem to have fallen into their central star akin to the Sun.?
How did scientists find planet-eating stars?
Researchers analysed the chemical make-up of stars in "binary systems", which are made up of two stars orbiting one another.If the stars were formed at the same time, they should have the same chemical composition. But if a planet were to dissolve into an active star, it would alter its chemical make-up with hints of rocky elements like iron.?
Based on this assumption, scientists assessed 107 binary systems. They then compared the chemical characteristics of both stars and whether any showed signs of planetary material.Guess what? They found proof of cannibal planet-eating Sun-like stars.?
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From their assessments, they found that a star's thin outer layer rich in iron points to its planet-eating past.In addition, stars that have consumed whole planets are also rich in lithium, when compared to their companion stars that did not eat any planets.?
Lithium is conserved in planets, implying that a planet was a carrying all the lithium until falling into the big star.This tells a great tale of solar systems that are may more happening than ours, which has had a relatively peaceful existence.?
The chemical analysis could also help astronomers find solar systems that are similar to ours and possible host to natural life.Will we find out? Only time will. For more on science and tech, continue reading Indiatimes.com.
