The scientists in charge of the observation believe they witnessed the first “planetary suicide” in history. The only noted way for a star to consume its own planets is for the star to increase significantly in size. In about 5 billion years, after exhausting the hydrogen in its core, the Sun will expand to 100 times its current radius, devouring nearby planets such as Mercury and Venus in the process. It was initially suspected to be a red giant consuming one of its nearby planets. This new evidence suggests that the young star's nova was caused by it being impacted by a Jupiter-sized body.