"The engulfment of a planet by its host star" . Artist's impression, prepared by Gabi Perez (IAC). Credits to Gabi Perez and the IAC.
Posted on 09/29/2009 6:03:05 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
Using the very efficient UVES high-resolution spectrograph at the ESO VLT 8.2-m KUEYEN telescope, they have convincingly detected the presence of the rare isotope Lithium-6 (6Li; [2]) in this metal-rich, solar-type dwarf star that is also known to possess a planetary system, cf. ESO Press Release 13/00.
Unlike the Lithium-7 (7Li) isotope of this light element, any primordial Lithium-6 would not survive the early evolutionary stages of a metal-rich solar-type star. The Lithium-6 now seen in HD 82943 must therefore have been added later, but from where? The astronomers believe that this observation strongly suggests that the star has at some moment engulfed one of its planets, whose Lithium-6 was then deposited in the star's atmosphere.
This surprising discovery represents important observational evidence that planets may fall into their host stars.
(Excerpt) Read more at spaceref.com ...
"The engulfment of a planet by its host star" . Artist's impression, prepared by Gabi Perez (IAC). Credits to Gabi Perez and the IAC.
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oh noes!!
too hot!
Only higher taxes will save us now!
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Those who had resided on that world gave up everything and lived like animals for a century to “save the world” from global warming.... all for naught
Hehehe bump
Bush’s fault!
can you catch a fallen star??
That would be cool to watch.....from a distance.
...Nahhh, aliens from the Andromedia galaxy came to their rescue, they saw it coming. I sent out a message, so, please let them land, they’re here to pick me up...
“Stardate 546328.1. We have arrived in the Star System Obama Mega Barf and we are studying how a star swallows a planet. Apparently there was once a thriving civilization on this world now called Obama Mega Barf X3. As far as our study could determined the population of the Barferians perished as a result of taxation and enslavement. But we will stand back and bi-partisanly watch as it plunges into its star.....”
Too funny! Probably the driver was sitting in the car, continuing his phone call, when the emergency vehicles started to arrive.
It would be pretty disappointing, falling into the Sun.
Name some other stars that swallow.
Heh... Jupiter gulped down something not long ago (all that was seen was the impact site) but it’s just not the same... dammit. I mean, really, would anyone miss Neptune if it were to just spiral in and kerblooey?
[amazing skills at setting it up]
But I’m sure you’d miss Uranus.
I never got to see Disney World!!
I blame O. He said he was going to turn back the rising oceans and this is similar IMHO. :)
lol.
Super Epic All-Time Galaxy Fail!!
The alien judges gave it a 5.0 5.0 and a 4.9... that Talaxian never liked us anyway
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