A groundbreaking study published in Nature unveils a remarkable celestial event – the collision of two ice giant exoplanets in the vicinity of a sun-like star, resulting in an awe-inspiring display of brilliant light and swirling dust plumes. This extraordinary observation has captured the attention of astronomers and space enthusiasts alike.
The discovery came about when an astute observer noticed an intriguing irregularity in the light curve of a star. The data showed that the system’s brightness had doubled in infrared wavelengths roughly three years prior to the star’s gradual fading in visible light. A collaborative effort of international astronomers was quickly organized to investigate this enigmatic phenomenon.
Co-lead author Dr. Matthew Kenworthy, affiliated with Leiden University, expressed his astonishment at the discovery: “To be honest, this observation was a complete surprise to me. When we originally shared the visible light curve of this star with other astronomers, we started watching it with a network of other telescopes.”
The research team, comprised of both professional and amateur astronomers, meticulously monitored the star’s brightness over the course of two years. The star was christened ASASSN-21qj after the network of telescopes that first detected its fading visibility.
The most plausible explanation offered by the researchers is that two ice giant exoplanets collided, generating an infrared glow that was subsequently detected by NASA’s NEOWISE mission. This mission employs a space telescope to track asteroids and comets.
Dr. Simon Lock, co-lead author and Research Fellow in Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol, explained, “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 resulting debris cloud from the collision eventually passed in front of the star three years later, causing the visible light to dim.
In the coming years, the cloud of dust is expected to disperse along the orbit of the collision remnant. Astronomers anticipate that the scattering of light from this cloud will be detectable by ground-based telescopes and NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the largest space telescope. Consequently, the research team is eagerly awaiting the next developments in this celestial event.
Co-author Dr. Zoe Leinhardt, an Associate Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Bristol, added, “It will be fascinating to observe further developments. Ultimately, the mass of material around the remnant may condense to form a retinue of moons that will orbit around this new planet.”
This celestial collision serves as a mesmerizing reminder of the extraordinary events occurring in the vast expanse of our universe, offering astronomers the chance to delve further into the mysteries of the cosmos.
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