How internal gravity waves lead stars to swallow their own giant planets

Star system: 59 Virginis | Distance from the Sun: 57.4 light years

Recent research into tidal interactions reveals that internal gravity waves within stars play a fundamental role in the fate of 'hot Jupiters' — massive gas giants orbiting very close to their stars. By analyzing how these waves dissipate energy, scientists found that up to 20% of stars similar to our Sun may have already engulfed a large planet, which explains why some stars like TOI-2458 and Gliese 504 rotate faster than expected. 

The study shows a clear divide in planetary systems: younger systems maintain a variety of orbits, while in older systems, these tidal forces gradually pull the closest planets inward until they are consumed, significantly reshaping the architecture of distant solar systems.

Scientific study

Observational imprints of tidal internal gravity wave dissipation in star-planet systems (external link)