CBS News
/ CBS/AP
For the first time, scientists have caught a star in the act of swallowing a planet – not just a nibble or bite, but one big gulp. Experts say that Earth will likely suffer the same apocalyptic fate in about 5 billion years.
Astronomers on Wednesday reported their observations of what appeared to be a gas giant around the size of Jupiter or bigger being eaten by its star. The sun-like star had been puffing up with old age for eons and finally got so big that it engulfed the close-orbiting planet.