MIT astronomers catch a star in a feast that could last billions of years

What happened

Astronomers have discovered a bizarre star system about 300 light-years from Earth where a small star is slowly devouring a nearby brown dwarf, an object too massive to be a planet but too small to be a true star. Science News from research organizations MIT astronomers catch a star in a feast that could last billions of years Scientists discovered a star slowly eating its brown dwarf companion in a cosmic feast that could last billions of years.

Date: October 10, 2026 Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Summary: Astronomers have discovered a bizarre star system about 300 light-years from Earth where a small star is slowly devouring a nearby brown dwarf, an object too massive to be a planet but too small to be a true star. Share: Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email FULL STORY Astronomers have discovered an unusual star system about 300 light-years from Earth where a small star is gradually consuming a nearby brown dwarf.

Unlike stars that rapidly swallow their companions, this one is gradually stealing material in a process that could continue for billions of years. Most planets, including Earth, travel around their stars in relatively stable orbits.