Scientists are investigating the possibility that the Sun devoured a rocky super-Earth type planet in the early days of the Solar System. This hypothesis is based on the analysis of chemical signatures found in the interior of our star. The study suggests that this cataclysmic event may have occurred during the formation of the Solar System, about 4.6 billion years ago.
The researchers analyzed data on the chemical composition of the Sun, looking for anomalies that could indicate the presence of material from a destroyed planet. The chemical signature left by this episode may be preserved in the inner layers of the star, where heavier elements accumulate over time.
This type of event is not considered rare in the universe. It is known that stars in formation can swallow planets that orbit very close, especially during planetary migration processes. In the case of the Solar System, scientists believe that the absence of super-Earths among the remaining planets may be explained by this stellar cannibalism scenario.
The authors of the study hope that future observations and more sophisticated models can confirm or refute this theory, contributing to a better understanding of the formation and evolution of our Solar System.
