Planet‑Eating Stars and the Hidden Forge of Heavy Elements in Stellar Evolution

Astronomers now recognize that a significant number of stars actually consume nearby planets or planetary debris, altering their chemical makeup and life trajectories. Recent observations, such as those from Gaia and ground‑based telescopes, indicate that roughly 1 in 12 twin-star systems show evidence of iron, nickel, and titanium enrichment consistent with planetary ingestion—affecting stars even…

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What Happens When Stars Collide? The Science Behind Stellar Mergers

While the life cycle of stars is often portrayed as a predictable path from birth to supernova or black hole, stellar collisions present a dramatic and lesser-known chapter in the universe’s story. When two stars—especially in binary systems—spiral into each other due to gravitational forces, they merge in a cataclysmic event that can release more…

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The Born-Again Star, SAO 244567 and the Phenomenon of Stellar Rebirth

In the vast expanse of the cosmos, stars typically follow a predictable life cycle—from formation in nebulae to eventual demise as white dwarfs, neutron stars, or black holes. However, the star SAO 244567, located approximately 2,700 light-years away in the Stingray Nebula, has defied this norm. Over the past few decades, astronomers have observed this…

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