When Worlds Collide: Have Astronomers Observed the Aftermath of a Distant Planetary Collision?

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Illustrated here in this artistacutes concept astronomers may have observed the aftermath of a collision between two protoplanets one Jupiter-sized and one Neptune-sized in the system 2M1207. Credit: David A. Aguilar (Harvard-Smithsonian CfA)
Illustrated here in this artist's concept, astronomers may have observed the aftermath of a collision between two protoplanets, one Jupiter-sized and one Neptune-sized, in the system 2M1207. Credit: David A. Aguilar (Harvard-Smithsonian CfA)

Astronomers announced today that a mystery object orbiting a star 170 light-years from Earth might have formed from the collision and merger of two protoplanets. The object, known as 2M1207B, has puzzled astronomers since its discovery because it seems to fall outside the spectrum of physical possibility. Its temperature, luminosity, age, and location do not match up with any theory.


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