Astronomers have recorded a rare collision of exoplanets.
Astronomers have recorded a collision between two exoplanets in a system located 11,000 light-years from Earth. This discovery provides deeper insight into the processes of formation and evolution of planetary systems in the universe.
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Astronomers have recorded a collision between two exoplanets in a star system located about 11,000 light-years from Earth. This discovery could lead to a deeper understanding of how planetary systems form throughout the universe.
While observing the star Gaia20ehk at this distance, scientists noticed unusual changes in its brightness. Until 2016, the star's luminosity remained stable, but then it was observed to dim three times. In 2021, its brightness became completely unstable, which is atypical for stars of this type.
Analysis showed that these changes were not caused by the star itself. Instead, large clusters of rocks and dust passing in front of the star were responsible. Research indicates that these fragments likely formed as a result of a collision between two exoplanets in this system.
Such collisions are common in the early stages of planetary system formation and play a crucial role in their development. Over time, these events become rare as systems grow more stable. The observed phenomenon provides new data for studying the evolution of planetary systems, including processes that occurred in the early Solar System.