Astronomers have detected evidence that red dwarf stars can engulf Earth-like planets during their early stages of formation [1, 2].
This discovery provides a rare glimpse into the violent nature of planetary-system evolution. Understanding how stars destroy their own planets helps scientists determine which distant worlds are likely to survive and potentially support life.
The research team identified a star located approximately 12,000 light-years from Earth within the Milky Way [3]. According to the study, young red dwarf stars can gravitationally pull in nearby forming planets, leading to the total destruction of the planetary body [1, 2]. This process is described as a form of cosmic cannibalism occurring as the stellar system matures.
The findings were published this month in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society [1, 2]. The data suggests that the interaction between a young star and its surrounding disk of gas and dust can be unstable, leading to the inward migration of planets until they are consumed by the star.
While red dwarfs are the most common type of star in the galaxy, their tendency to destroy early planets may impact the prevalence of Earth-like worlds. The researchers said that this gravitational pull is a critical part of how planetary systems evolve over millions of years [1, 2].
Observations of the star 12,000 light-years away [3] serve as a primary example of this phenomenon. By catching the event in the act, astronomers can better model the lifespan of planets orbiting small, cool stars.
“Young red dwarf stars can gravitationally pull in and destroy nearby forming planets.”
The discovery suggests that the 'habitability' of red dwarf systems may be lower than previously estimated. If these stars frequently consume Earth-like planets during their infancy, fewer rocky worlds may survive to reach a stable orbit, limiting the number of potential candidates for extraterrestrial life in the Milky Way.
