Astronomers have made a ground-breaking finding by identifying the aftermath of a massive planetary collision in a remote star system 3,600 light-years away. This extraordinary event, which involved the catastrophic collision of two large frozen planets, resulted in the production of a peculiar doughnut-shaped cloud of vaporised rock and water.
Finding the cosmic collision
This discovery was made possible by the use of NASA spacecraft meant to search the skies for asteroids. This celestial collision is more than simply a spectacular display; it provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the birth of a new world and maybe unlock the mysteries of planet creation, according to the New Scientist.
After noticing the unusual behavior of a star known as ASASSN-21 qj, a group of astronomers led by one individual began this groundbreaking study. This star, located 3,600 light-years from Earth, had a characteristic pattern, that piqued the interest of experts all over the world.
Matthew Kenworthy, a researcher at Leiden University and co-lead of the study, recounted the serendipitous discovery. He stated, “An astronomer on social media pointed out that the star brightened up in the infrared over a thousand days before the optical fading. I knew then this was an unusual event. To be honest, this observation was a complete surprise to me.”
Astronomers uncover evidence of planetary collision in ASASSN-21 qj
The scientists methodically watched ASASSN-21 qj over a two-year period, meticulously charting how its brightness changed over time. On October 11, the results of their investigation were published in the journal Nature.
According to Live Science, the planets involved in ASASSN-21 qj likely consolidated into a single celestial body after the impact to better understand the nature of the collision. This claim was supported by calculations and computer simulations. Simon Lock, a researcher at the University of Bristol and co-lead author elaborated, “Our calculations and computer models indicate the temperature and size of the glowing material, as well as the amount of time the glow has lasted, is consistent with the collision of two ice giant exoplanets.”
The astronomers are still keeping a close eye on ASASSN-21 qj and the leftovers of the planetary crash. They expect the debris cloud to disperse along the orbits of the planets that were annihilated during the cataclysmic event in the following years.