Vanished planet in the Sun’s core

A new study by astronomer Mutlu Yıldız from Ege University in Turkey proposes that a planet, five to ten times the mass of Earth, may have been absorbed by the Sun, potentially explaining some mysteries about its internal structure.

What are Super-Earths

Super-Earths are planets more massive than Earth but smaller than Neptune. They are frequently found around other stars, but none have been confirmed in our Solar System. These planets can be made of rock, gas, or a mix of both.

How scientists study the Sun’s interior

Astronomers use a technique called heliosismology to study the Sun's interior. This method involves analyzing the vibrations on the Sun's surface, similar to how geologists use seismic waves to understand Earth’s interior.

Simulations suggest a planet’s absorption

Yıldız used the MESA software to simulate the Sun’s evolution. His research found that the best match for current observations involves the absorption of a planet 5.6 times Earth’s mass and an internal mixing process, which would leave heavy elements concentrated in the Sun’s interior.

Earlier theories on missing planets

The idea of a missing internal planet is not new. In 2016, scientists Rebecca G. Martin and Mario Livio suggested that super-Earths could have formed near the Sun and later migrated inward, potentially ending up inside it. However, they noted that this was possible, not guaranteed.

Future research needed

To confirm this theory, scientists must now look for chemical and structural evidence within the Sun that matches the predictions of Yıldız’s model. This would help determine whether a vanished planet truly lies hidden at the star’s core.