Doomed Planet: Kepler-1658b's Tragic Fate Revealed
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Chapter 1: Discovery of Kepler-1658b
For the first time, astronomers have identified a planet facing a dire fate, driven by the aging of its parent star. While previous observations have noted planets with shortening orbital periods, this is the inaugural instance of such a planet circling an evolved star nearing the end of its life cycle. How much longer can this planet endure, and what factors have contributed to its misfortune?
Kepler-1658b — [Photo: KKolaczynski, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons]
The Kepler Space Telescope, operational for just over nine years, has monitored more than 530,000 stars. This remarkable tool has confirmed the existence of 2,662 planets beyond our Solar System. Its first success was reported in 2009, shortly after its launch, when it identified a potential exoplanet. However, complications in measuring the mass of its host star delayed confirmation for nearly a decade. Ultimately, the first planet confirmed by the Kepler Telescope, now designated as Kepler-1658b, made its official debut on the list in 2019.
Kepler Telescope — [Photo: NASA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons]
Chapter 2: The Planet's Downfall
Recent research published in the December 2022 edition of The Astrophysical Journal Letters reveals that Kepler-1658b is on an inevitable path to destruction. As it spirals closer to its star, a catastrophic collision seems unavoidable.
Shreyas Vissapragada, the lead researcher, notes, “While we have observed planets getting closer to their stars before, this is the first documented instance around a mature star in its late life stage. Theories suggest that such stars can efficiently draw energy from orbiting planets, and now we have the opportunity to validate these predictions.”
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Kepler-1658b is classified as a hot Jupiter, a term that describes gas giants similar in mass and size to Jupiter but orbiting perilously close to their stars. This particular planet is situated just one-eighth the distance from its star compared to the Sun and Mercury. Its rapid orbit allows it to complete a full revolution in less than four days.
Over the years, meticulous observations have demonstrated a consistent reduction in Kepler-1658b’s orbital period. Specifically, it now completes its orbit 131 milliseconds faster each year—a remarkable feat given that the planet is located approximately 2,570 light-years from Earth.
What lies ahead for this doomed planet?
Given its current trajectory, Kepler-1658b is destined for collision with its star in less than three million years if the current rate continues. The star has already entered its sub-giant phase, indicating that the hydrogen in its core is nearly depleted, leading to its expansion. Our Sun will not undergo such a transformation for another 5.5 to 6 billion years.
The gravitational interaction between the star and the planet generates tidal forces, akin to those that create tides on Earth. These tidal forces can deform celestial bodies and influence their orbits. In the case of Kepler-1658b, these forces are drawing the planet closer to its star.
Researchers remain committed to studying Kepler-1658b to uncover more of its secrets. One particularly puzzling aspect is its unexpectedly high brightness and temperature. Insights gained from this planet's fate could also offer a glimpse into Earth's future as the Sun transitions into a red giant, potentially leading to a similar fate for our planet.
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Source: phys.org, The Astrophysical Journal Letters
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