Planet orbits so close to its star that their magnetic fields connect

Astronomers have discovered an exoplanet in such a tight orbit that its magnetic field physically connects with its star's. According to Ars Technica, when the planetary orbit and stellar activity cycle align, this interaction causes the star's chromosphere to brighten. The discovery reveals how extreme proximity can forge direct magnetic interactions between stars and planets — a rare glimpse into the physics of these tightly bound cosmic companions.

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