Astronomers spot star swallowing a planet in possible preview of Earth’s fate

While scientists have observed hints of stars before and after the act of consuming entire planets, they have never seen one in the act until now.

Astronomers spot a star swallowing a planet in a possible preview of Earth’s fate (International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/M. Garlick/M. Zamani/PA)

Astronomers have spotted a star devouring a planet in a possible preview of the ultimate fate of Earth.

As a star runs out of fuel, it will billow out to a million times its original size, engulfing any matter – and planets – in its wake.

While scientists have observed hints of stars just before, and shortly after, the act of consuming entire planets, they have never seen one in the act until now.