Trending Now - Astronomers Capture Rare Neutron Star Collision 11,000 Light-years Away
WHO:
Anastasios (Andy) Tzanidakis, doctoral candidate at the University of Washington
James Davenport, astronomy professor at the University of Washington and senior author of the study
Anastasios (Andy) Tzanidakis, graduate student at the University of Washington
James Davenport, astronomy professor at the University of Washington and senior author of the study
Researchers involved in the study published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
WHAT:
The infrared light signature reached approximately 900 K (627°C or 1,160°F) during the planetary collision.
The debris cloud around Gaia20ehk is currently orbiting at about one astronomical unit (93 million miles) from its star.
Astronomers observed a rare planetary collision involving two planets around the star Gaia20ehk
The star's light output began to flicker and dim starting in 2016, with three dips in brightness noted
In 2021, the star's light levels became chaotic and erratic
The infrared light spiked as the visible light faded, indicating hot debris blocking the star's light
The heat signature of the debris reached approximately 900 K (627°C or 1,160°F)
The mass of the debris cloud was estimated to be roughly equal to that of Saturn’s moon Enceladus
WHERE:
The star Gaia20ehk is located about 11,000 light-years from Earth in the constellation Puppis
WHEN:
The star began showing unusual behavior in 2016
The chaotic light behavior was observed in 2021
The findings were published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
WHY:
The researchers believe that the upcoming NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory could detect 100 similar planetary collisions over the next ten years.
The flickering of the star was likely caused by massive planetary chunks blocking its light due to a collision
The study aims to understand the dynamics of planetary formation and collisions, similar to the impact that created the Earth and moon
HOW:
The study involved using data from infrared telescopes to analyze the light from Gaia20ehk, confirming the presence of hot debris blocking the star's light.
Researchers used data from different telescopes, including infrared telescopes, to analyze the light from Gaia20ehk
The study involved monitoring the star's light output over several years to detect changes and anomalies
(UPDATED March 14, 2026 07:13 UTC)
A team of researchers from the University of Washington, including doctoral candidate Anastasios Tzanidakis and astronomy professor James Davenport, has made a significant discovery regarding a planetary collision that produced an infrared light signature reaching about 900 K, or 1,160°F. They found that the debris cloud surrounding the star Gaia20ehk is currently orbiting at roughly one astronomical unit, which is about 93 million miles away. The researchers anticipate that the upcoming NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory could help detect as many as 100 similar planetary collisions over the next decade.
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(UPDATED March 14, 2026 05:23 UTC)
Astronomers have observed a rare planetary collision involving two planets around the star Gaia20ehk, located about 11,000 light-years from Earth in the constellation Puppis. The star's light output began to flicker and dim in 2016, with chaotic behavior noted in 2021, leading researchers to conclude that massive planetary chunks were blocking its light, likely due to a collision. The findings, which include the heat signature of debris reaching around 900 K and a mass comparable to Saturn’s moon Enceladus, were published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters by a team from the University of Washington, including graduate student Anastasios Tzanidakis and astronomy professor James Davenport.