Moneycontrol PRO
Loans
Loans
HomeScienceThe ‘Eye of Sauron’ star erupts with an unprecedented space collision

The ‘Eye of Sauron’ star erupts with an unprecedented space collision

Astronomers have witnessed shocking cosmic collisions around Fomalhaut, a nearby star just 25 light-years away. Giant space rocks smashed apart, rewriting what scientists thought they knew about planetary systems.

December 23, 2025 / 10:30 IST
The collision between two planetesimals orbiting Fomalhaut. (Image: NASA/ESA/STScI)

Astronomers have spotted a violent space disaster close to Earth. The event erupted around Fomalhaut, a bright star visible worldwide. This stellar system sits only 25 light years away. Scientists watched enormous rocky worlds smash apart in real time.

A Front Row Seat from Space

NASA’s Hubble telescope captured glowing debris spreading across space dramatically. These observations span nearly 20 years of careful sky watching. Researchers confirmed not one, but two colossal collisions occurred there. Each object matched dinosaur killing asteroids from Earth’s history past. The impacts created vast dust clouds glittering like shattered glass.

When a Famous Ring Turned Deadly

Fomalhaut’s famous ring suddenly transformed into a cosmic crime scene. The astronomers call it the Eye of Sauron star system famously. Inside this ring, destruction unfolded without warning or mercy whatsoever. Scientists expected such crashes once every hundred thousand years normally. Seeing two so quickly shocked experts and rewrote predictions globally.

A Glimpse Into Our Own Past

These collisions show how planets are born through chaos violently. Our own Earth survived similar destruction during its violent youth. An unseen planet may be stirring deadly orbits nearby today. Its gravity could be throwing worlds into catastrophic paths repeatedly.

Scientists studied the Chaos

Hubble repeatedly photographed the system across multiple observation campaigns. Scientists noticed strange changes inside the dust ring over time. The glowing cloud expanded rapidly, behaving unlike any solid planet. Computer models confirmed signatures of massive high-speed collisions.

Future research on this star

This discovery makes cosmic danger feel suddenly closer to home. The star shines brightly, visible to everyday stargazers worldwide. Scientists confirm no threat exists to Earth from this system. Scientists plan deeper observations using the James Webb telescope.

Yet the universe shows calm skies hide explosive secrets within. This event proves space is active, violent and constantly changing. Even familiar stars can host unimaginable destruction nearby.

first published: Dec 23, 2025 10:29 am

Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!

Subscribe to Tech Newsletters

  • On Saturdays

    Find the best of Al News in one place, specially curated for you every weekend.

  • Daily-Weekdays

    Stay on top of the latest tech trends and biggest startup news.

Advisory Alert: It has come to our attention that certain individuals are representing themselves as affiliates of Moneycontrol and soliciting funds on the false promise of assured returns on their investments. We wish to reiterate that Moneycontrol does not solicit funds from investors and neither does it promise any assured returns. In case you are approached by anyone making such claims, please write to us at grievanceofficer@nw18.com or call on 02268882347