When Exoplanets Collide

This artist’s concept illustrates a catastrophic collision between two rocky exoplanets in the planetary system BD +20 307, turning both into dusty debris.

Ten years ago, scientists speculated that the warm dust in this system was a result of a planet-to-planet collision. Now, NASA’s SOFIA mission found even more warm dust, further supporting that two rocky exoplanets collided. This helps build a more complete picture of our own solar system’s history. Such a collision could be similar to the type of catastrophic event that ultimately created our Moon.

Image Credit: NASA/SOFIA/Lynette Cook

Editor: Yvette Smith