When a planet falls into a star, it can trigger a cosmic explosion.

Space · Published 24 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Most stars easily consume small planets like Earth. But if a gas giant—a super-Jupiter—plunges into its host star, the result is far more violent than a simple meal. The impact creates such intense shockwaves that it can literally tear the star apart from the inside out.

Astronomers have observed several types of extreme planetary destruction. In the Pisces constellation, the white dwarf G29-38 has been devouring orbiting planets, using its powerful gravity to shred them into glowing chunks of hot plasma. However, larger celestial bodies can cause even more dramatic consequences. Research suggests that while small planets are easily assimilated, a super-Jupiter-sized planet colliding with a star generates massive shockwaves capable of expelling the star's entire atmosphere of hot plasma into deep space.

This process is so violent that it can lead to the total destruction of the host star from within. Conversely, these collisions aren't always purely destructive; they can be creative in a chaotic way. When a planet breaks apart during such an impact, it sends matter and gas flying outward. This ejected material can eventually coalesce to form entirely new worlds, though these 'outcast planets' must then navigate the harsh conditions of deep cold space.

Other extreme environments showcase different types of planetary torment. The exoplanet HD 189733 b experiences howling supersonic winds that whip storming glass sideways at 5,400 mph (2km/s). Meanwhile, Kepler-70b (KOI-55 b) reached average temperatures of about 12,000 degrees F (6,800 C) after spending time inside its now-dead host star. These diverse phenomena illustrate the universe's capacity for both total annihilation and radical transformation through gravitational interaction.

These observations are made possible by advanced tools like the Chandra X-ray Observatory and the James Webb Space Telescope. By studying these 'hellish' worlds—from lava planets like 55 Cancri e, which orbits its star in just 0.7 days, to zombie worlds orbiting pulsars—scientists gain crucial insights into how planets form, evolve, and ultimately perish.

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