NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has made a groundbreaking discovery that challenges scientists’ long-held assumptions about the formation of planetary systems. The telescope, which is designed to observe distant objects in infrared light, captured images of a star swallowing its own planet, providing valuable insights into the final stages of planetary demise.
The star, located 12,000 light-years away from Earth, was observed by Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) and Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec). The researchers used a two-pronged approach to analyze the data, combining observations with computer simulations. They found that the planet’s orbit had shrunk over time, bringing it closer to its demise until it was engulfed by the star.
Contrary to previous hypotheses, Webb’s observations revealed that the star did not swell to envelop the planet. Instead, the planet’s proximity to the star caused it to graze the atmosphere, leading to a catastrophic process of falling in faster and smearing around the star.
The telescope also detected hot molecular gas surrounding the star, which is composed of carbon monoxide. This finding opens up new questions about the aftermath of planetary engulfment, with researchers eager to study this phenomenon further.
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has demonstrated its capabilities as a premier space science observatory, providing a unique opportunity for scientists to study rare and mysterious events. The telescope will continue to explore the mysteries of our universe, including the formation of planetary systems and the origins of life beyond Earth.
Source: https://webbtelescope.org/contents/news-releases/2025/news-2025-117