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Space

The sun is a 'runaway world collector' that can trap passing rogue planets

Space
Summary
Nutrition label

70% Informative

Sun is capable of grabbing small planets as well as Jupiter -size gas giants that get too close.

Scientists have suspected for some time that the solar system can grab objects that drift past, like comets and asteroids.

New research shows this "capture region" extends far beyond the Oort cloud, however, which is about two light-years from Earth .

A captured rogue planet orbiting the sun at a distance of 3.81 light-years would bring a rogue planet to Alpha Centauri .

The two star systems could exchange their captured rogues, like kids trading baseball cards.

Because rogue planets emit little light, spotting one out past the Oort cloud would be difficult.

VR Score

81

Informative language

86

Neutral language

45

Article tone

informal

Language

English

Language complexity

48

Offensive language

not offensive

Hate speech

not hateful

Attention-grabbing headline

not detected

Known propaganda techniques

not detected

Time-value

long-living

Source diversity

1