The planet, a "hot Jupiter"—a massive gas giant orbiting closely to its star—was observed spiraling into its host star in a dramatic "death plunge."

Astronomers initially believed the planet's destruction was due to its star expanding into a red giant. However, Webb's observations suggest that the planet's orbit gradually decayed over time, causing it to spiral inward and eventually collide with its star. This process resulted in the expulsion of significant material from the star, forming a ring of hot gas and an expanding cloud of cooler dust around the system.

The star in question resides approximately 12,000 light-years from Earth in the constellation Aquila. It is slightly redder and less luminous than our Sun and about 70% of its mass. The observations were made possible by Webb's advanced infrared capabilities, allowing scientists to study the aftermath of such cosmic events in detail.

This discovery challenges previous models of planetary destruction and provides valuable data on the end stages of planetary systems. While our Sun is not expected to reach a similar phase for another five billion years, understanding these processes offers crucial insights into the long-term evolution of planetary systems.

Webb's findings open new avenues for research into the dynamics of planetary orbits and their interactions with host stars, enhancing our comprehension of the life cycles of exoplanets.