Produced by: Tarun Mishra
According to a report published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, scientists may have uncovered the reason behind the decay of certain planets' orbits, leading them on a collision course with their parent stars.
Research indicates that around one in 12 stars could have consumed one of their own planets, sparking curiosity about what triggers these celestial "death spirals."
A team of international scientists delved into the orbits of hot Jupiters, planets positioned perilously close to their stars and completing swift orbits in mere days or hours.
The study centered on WASP-12b, a hot Jupiter situated approximately 1,400 light years away. Its orbit suggests a collision with its star in roughly 3 billion years.
Researchers discovered that the magnetic field of the star WASP-12 is dissipating gravitational energy, contributing to the decay of WASP-12b's orbit.
Tidal forces between stars and hot Jupiters lead to energy transfer, causing planets to lose orbital energy and spiral closer to their stars over time.
Strong magnetic fields within stars like WASP-12 accelerate the orbital decay process by converting tidal waves into magnetic waves, hastening the planet's demise.
Credit: ESA
The newfound understanding enables scientists to predict when certain planets may enter the death spiral phase, guiding astronomers in observational pursuits.
Researchers aim to identify hot Jupiter planets in decaying orbits around nearby stars, offering opportunities to refine their understanding of this magnetic mechanism and validate their timeline estimates.