Galactic Gobble: Star Swallows Planet in One Big Gulp

Galactic Gobble: Star Swallows Planet in One Big Gulp
This illustration depicts a planet skimming the surface of its star. K. Miller, R. Hurt/Caltech/IPAC via AP
The Associated Press
Updated:

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.—For the first time, scientists have caught a star in the act of swallowing a planet—not just a nibble or bite, but one big gulp.

Astronomers on Wednesday reported their observations of what appeared to be a gas giant around the size of Jupiter or bigger being eaten by its star. The sun-like star had been puffing up with old age for eons and finally got so big that it engulfed the close-orbiting planet.