A 'Solar System'-like system that will provide insights into Earth's future

According to a report by Universe Today, studying the star "Rho Coronae Borealis (Rho CrB)," located 57 light-years from Earth, and its 4 orbiting planets could provide information about the future of the Solar System.

Prof. Dr. Stephen R. Kane, a faculty member in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of California, examined what might happen to exoplanets in the habitable zones of stars reaching the red giant phase in his research.

STARS REACH MASSIVE SIZES IN THE RED GIANT PHASE, DESTROYING PLANETS

Kane conducted research on "Rho Coronae Borealis," a yellow dwarf star in the Corona Borealis constellation that has approximately the same mass, diameter, and luminosity as the Sun and hosts 4 planets in its orbit.

The study noted that because the star is twice as old as the Sun, meaning it is approximately 10 billion years old, the red giant phase is approaching, and accordingly, the star will become a red giant within 1 to 1.5 billion years.

In his research, Kane stated, "Stellar evolution can result in dramatic and sometimes traumatic changes to the architecture of a planetary system, such as the tidal disruption of orbiting planets or their engulfment by the star."

It was noted that Rho CrB has 4 planets, named "Rho Coronae Borealis e, b, c, and d" in order of discovery, and that "e, b, and c" are located in the most dangerous zone due to their proximity to the star.

It was stated that the planets are of the "Super-Earth" or "Jovian" (giant planets similar to Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) class and are located in orbits closer than Earth's distance from the Sun.

It was emphasized that "Rho Coronae Borealis e" and "b" orbit even closer than Mercury's distance from the Sun.

It was pointed out that planets orbiting a star that is gradually expanding in the red giant phase could evaporate and be destroyed or be torn apart by tidal forces during their spiral approach toward the star, which could last for decades.

WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN TO THE 4 PLANETS WAS EXAMINED

Accordingly, the innermost planet "e" is likely composed of rock and will evaporate and be swallowed by the star as it expands.

The planet "b," which is 350 Earth masses and larger than Jupiter, will lose its integrity due to the gravity generated as it enters the star's atmosphere, breaking apart and increasing the star's mass and expansion.

This situation could accelerate the engulfment and destruction of planets "c" and "d," although "d" might be saved if the star's red giant phase ends before it is swallowed, or if it is pushed outward by tides caused by the increasing mass.

Stating that "c," which is approximately the mass of Neptune, will evaporate and be swallowed, Kane emphasized that planet "d" would likely share the same fate, though it is not certain.

THE SUN WILL ALSO BECOME A RED GIANT AND THEN A WHITE DWARF

The research states that it is believed the Sun will also likely swallow or destroy all inner planets during the phase when it expands into a red giant before turning into a white dwarf several billion years from now.

Another possibility is that massive planets in distant orbits could change the orbits of some of the inner planets, saving them from destruction.

Earth could be swallowed and destroyed during the Sun's red giant phase or pulled into safe outer orbits by the influence of outer planets, but both possibilities indicate that conditions in the Solar System will not be as they are today.

The research was published in The Astrophysical Journal.

News Source: AA

Related News

3 million dollar robot developed for use in space and disasters

Chinese taikonaut crew returns from space station

Scientists grow mouse embryos in space for the first time