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Exoplanet Disintegrates: Losing Everest's Worth Every 30 Hours

4/25/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Astronomers have made a stunning discovery: the exoplanet BD+05 4868 Ab, situated 140 light-years away, is disintegrating at an astonishing rate, losing material equal to Mount Everest every 30.5 hours. Its remarkable 9 million-kilometer comet-like tail provides a rare chance to explore the inner workings of rocky planets, but this celestial marvel is predicted to vanish entirely in just 1 to 2 million years.

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Story summary

Astronomers have made a stunning discovery: the exoplanet BD+05 4868 Ab, situated 140 light-years away, is disintegrating at an astonishing rate, losing material equal to Mount Everest every 30.5 hours. Its remarkable 9 million-kilometer comet-like tail provides a rare chance to explore the inner workings of rocky planets, but this celestial marvel is predicted to vanish entirely in just 1 to 2 million years.