The Milky Way's most common stars may be planet eaters
In short: Red dwarfs are the galaxy's most abundant stars, making up roughly 75% of all stars in the Milky Way. While they appear small and dim compared to our sun, new evidence suggests these cosmic neighbors might have a violent habit: devouring their own planetary systems.
Astronomers have identified a mechanism by which red dwarfs—low-mass stars with only 8% to 60% of the Sun's mass—consume nearby planets. By analyzing data from the Gaia-ESO Spectroscopic (GES) survey, researchers discovered six red dwarfs in three different clusters containing unexpectedly high levels of lithium. Because these stars are cool and dim, they should have burned through any initial lithium during nuclear fusion; its presence suggests they have 'feasted' on planets that were still rich in the element.
The discovery is significant because it provides a tangible signature of planetary engulfment. Team leader Robin Jeffries from Keele University likened the addition of this lithium to throwing paint onto a blank canvas, as the stars should otherwise be depleted of it. Data suggests that these particular red dwarfs might have devoured a combined mass equal to between three and ten Earths.
This process suggests that planetary destruction is not an isolated incident but potentially a common occurrence across the galaxy. Given that red dwarfs are the most numerous stars in our galaxy, this type of engulfment could be a standard phase in the early lives of many planetary systems. Future studies aim to determine exactly at what stages of their existence these stars are most likely to consume their worlds.
Beyond individual star destruction, our own solar system faces broader cosmic threats from stellar encounters. Passing stars can perturb the Oort Cloud, potentially triggering comet showers that could lead to mass extinctions on Earth, similar to the Chicxulub impact that ended the dinosaurs' reign.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: These Cosmic Visitors (Killer Stars) Could Destroy Us
- Also: Red dwarf stars are cosmic killers that eat their own planets
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