MAROKO133 Breaking ai: Ageing stars like sun swallow nearby planets, astronomers find ‘str

📌 MAROKO133 Update ai: Ageing stars like sun swallow nearby planets, astronomers f

As stars like the Sun exhaust their hydrogen, they begin to expand and cool, transforming into red giants. For the Sun, this dramatic change is expected in around five billion years. Scientists believe this expansion could destroy Mercury, Venus, and possibly Earth, but so far, there is little direct evidence to confirm exactly how, or if this will occur.

Now, a study led by researchers at the University of Warwick and UCL has shed new light on the fate of planets orbiting ageing stars. By analyzing nearly half a million nearby star systems, the team sought to understand how often planets survive when their host stars swell into red giants. 

Their findings show that planets are far less common around stars in this late stage of life, suggesting that many close-orbiting worlds are likely destroyed as their stars expand, offering strong observational evidence of this dramatic planetary demise.

Strong evidence that planets spiral into evolving stars

According to lead author Edward Bryant, Warwick Astrophysics Prize Fellow at the University of Warwick, who conducted much of this research while at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory at UCL, the findings provide strong evidence that as stars evolve off the main sequence, they can rapidly cause nearby planets to spiral inward and be destroyed. 

This phenomenon has long been debated in theory, but now the impact can be observed directly across a large population of stars. As Bryant explains, ageing stars can efficiently engulf their close-orbiting planets due to a gravitational tug-of-war called tidal interaction. As the star expands, the planet’s pull on the star slows its orbit, causing it to spiral inward until it either disintegrates or is absorbed.

The team concentrated on stars that had recently entered the post-main sequence phase, having exhausted their hydrogen, and identified just 130 planets and planet candidates orbiting nearby – 33 of which had not been detected before.

Focusing only on stars that had cooled and expanded into red giants, the researchers found that the likelihood of such a star hosting a nearby planet was just 0.11%, roughly three times lower than the chance for a main-sequence star to have a close-orbiting giant planet.

Earth may survive Sun’s red giant phase, but life probably would not

Researchers further explain that in a few billion years, the Sun will expand into a red giant, raising questions about the fate of the solar system’s planets. Their study shows that while some planets are destroyed during the early post-main sequence phase, Earth is likely safer than the close-in giant planets examined. 

However, although the planet itself might survive, conditions for life would almost certainly be lost as the Sun continues to evolve. Although the study shows that the occurrence of giant planets declines as stars age, the few planets that remain in close orbits around red giants offer valuable insights.

Lead researcher Bryant also points out that once the masses of these planets are determined, it will help researchers understand the forces causing them to spiral inward and ultimately be destroyed, providing a clearer picture of the processes that shape the fate of planets orbiting ageing stars.

🔗 Sumber: interestingengineering.com

📌 MAROKO133 Breaking ai: China’s hydrid EV sets Guinness world record, drives 1,44

Chinese automaker FAW has achieved a new milestone as its Hongqi HS6 plug-in hybrid SUV set a Guinness World Record for the longest distance traveled on a single full charge and tank of fuel – without refueling. 

Covering an impressive 1,445 miles, the HS6 embarked on the journey from Shangri-La on October 30 and reached Guangzhou on November 3. Along the route, it passed through cities including Kunming, Baise, and Wuzhou, demonstrating both endurance and fuel efficiency. 

The new record underscores Hongqi’s rapidly advancing engineering prowess and its commitment to developing sustainable, long-range hybrid mobility for the global market. By surpassing previous record holders like Chery’s Fulwin T10, the Hongqi HS6 has set a new standard for endurance and efficiency among plug-in hybrid SUVs.

Combining 1,000-mile range with up to 495 hp

The Hongqi HS6 PHEV is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 148 horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque, boasting an impressive thermal efficiency of 45.21%. Buyers can choose between two-wheel and four-wheel drive configurations, with a top speed of 127 mph. The combined system output reaches 225 hp for the two-wheel version and 495 hp for the all-wheel model. 

Battery options include 23.9 kWh and 39.5 kWh lithium iron phosphate packs, offering electric-only ranges of 94, 155, and 146 miles (CLTC standard). Overall, the HS6 delivers a total driving range of up to 1,025 miles, reflecting Hongqi’s focus on blending high performance with long-distance efficiency. The Hongqi HS6 PHEV’s curb weight ranges from 4,497 to 5,038 pounds, varying with the choice of battery capacity and drivetrain configuration.

Inside, the HS6 PHEV offers a modern, tech-focused cabin highlighted by a dual-screen layout that combines a central control display with a co-pilot entertainment screen, complemented by a digital instrument cluster and a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel.

Hongqi targets Europe and Middle East with new SUV

Hongqi will open pre-sales for the HS6 PHEV on November 15 in China, marking another step in the brand’s broader global push. Beyond its home market, Hongqi is eyeing expansion into Europe and the Middle East, aiming to position the HS6 as a serious contender in the premium hybrid SUV segment. 

The model reflects Hongqi’s approach of blending proven engineering performance with sophisticated design and comfort, showing that Chinese manufacturers are increasingly ready to compete on both technology and craftsmanship. 

Furthermore, the Guinness World Record demonstrates the SUV’s solid engineering, while its design shows that Chinese automakers are steadily becoming more competitive in the premium segment. 

Recently, Hongqi’s parent company, Chinese automaker FAW, announced plans to expand its capabilities in advanced vehicle technology by acquiring a stake in local driving assistance firm Zhuoyu, reflecting a broader strategy to strengthen its position in smart mobility and autonomous driving solutions.

🔗 Sumber: interestingengineering.com