Rocky Planet Engulfment Explains Stellar Odd Couple

Astronomers using the Gemini Observatory and the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (with GRACES) uncover remarkable differences in the abundance of heavier elements, and the Lithium content, in a binary star system. The research team speculates that this difference is caused by the engulfment of rocky planets early in the system’s evolution which enriched one of the stars. The work also hints at a formation scenario resulting in gas giant planets forming relatively far from their host star. More details can be found in the Gemini webfeature.