Astronomers observe a star slowly consuming a brown dwarf 300 light years away
Scientists at MIT and other institutions reported the discovery of a star slowly eating a brown dwarf in a system located roughly 300 light-years from Earth.
Discovery of slow stellar feeding
Researchers published their findings today in the journal Nature Astronomy. This observation marks the first time scientists have seen a low-mass object steadily consuming material from another low-mass companion. The system, named ZTF J0440+2325, shows a balance between stable orbits and rapid engulfment events previously recorded.
Nature of the brown dwarf
The object being consumed is more massive than a planet but smaller than a star. This specific type of companion has never been caught in such a slow feeding process before. The rate of consumption suggests this interaction could continue for hundreds of thousands or even billions of years.
Reported by one outlet
Only one outlet has published this. Nothing here has been checked against a second report, so read it as that outlet's account and follow the link below for the original.
Reported by
1 independent outlet. Headline as published. Links open the original report.