The metallic “scar” reveals how the cannibal star devoured its planets

For the first time, astronomers have obtained evidence of a white dwarf “swallowing” planets in its system

In the image, the magnetic field of the white dwarf WD 0816-310 drives the remnants of the shattered planet into a region of the star, creating a metallic scar. THERE IS SUN. Sidewalk

Jose Manuel Nieves

Stars don’t live forever. And when a star like our Sun reaches the end of its days, it can turn from a safe haven for the worlds that orbit it into a true “cannibal” that mercilessly devours planets…

The session limit has been reached

  • Access to premium content is open based on the device you are on, but right now there are too many users logged in at once. Please try again in a few minutes.


try it again




ABC Premium

You have exceeded your session limit

  • You can only run three sessions at a time. We’ve closed the oldest session, so you can continue browsing the rest without restrictions.


Continue browsing


Article for subscribers only


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *