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An infrared transient from a star engulfing a planet
Kishalay De1, Morgan MacLeod2, Viraj Karambelkar3
1Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA. kde1@mit.edu.
Nature
|May 3, 2023
Summary
Astronomers observed ZTF SLRN-2020, a stellar outburst, likely caused by a Sun-like star engulfing a planet. This event provides the first direct evidence of planetary engulfment, a common fate for close-in exoplanets.
Area of Science:
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Exoplanetary Science
Background:
- Planets with short orbital periods are common around Sun-like stars.
- Evolving stars expand, leading to the engulfment of close planetary companions.
- This stellar evolution phase has not been directly observed previously.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the first direct observation of a star engulfing a planet.
- To characterize the event ZTF SLRN-2020 and its associated emissions.
- To estimate the rate of such events in the Milky Way galaxy.
Main Methods:
- Observation of ZTF SLRN-2020, a short-lived optical outburst.
- Analysis of accompanying bright and long-lived infrared emission.
- Spectral and light curve analysis, comparing to red nova events.
Main Results:
- ZTF SLRN-2020 exhibited characteristics similar to red novae but with exceptionally low luminosity.
- The event's properties suggest the engulfment of a planet (<10 Jupiter masses) by a Sun-like star.
- An estimated Galactic rate of 0.1 to several subluminous red novae per year.
Conclusions:
- Planetary engulfment by evolving stars is directly observed for the first time.
- Subluminous red novae are a new class of stellar eruptions resulting from planetary engulfment.
- Future surveys will routinely detect these events, revealing exoplanet demographics and fates.
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