Earth could be ejected from solar system

NEW DELHI, June 22: Earth could be thrown off its orbit and flung into another planet or even the Sun due to gravitational disturbances caused by passing stars, a new scientific study has warned.

The research, published in the journal "Icarus", suggests that passing field stars - those appearing near the same sky region as other celestial objects - may have a much greater influence on the Solar System's stability than previously believed.

Based on thousands of computer simulations, the study found that if a star with mass similar to our Sun were to pass within 10,000 astronomical units (AU) of our Solar System, it could significantly disrupt the Oort Cloud - the distant spherical shell of icy objects that marks the outer boundary of the Solar System, far beyond Pluto, reports NDTV.

"Passing stars are the most probable instability trigger during the next four billion years," the study highlighted, adding that not only are the planets in the Solar System less stable than previously thought, but Pluto is also at significant risk.

The study further reveals that the gravitational tug from such passing stars could increase the risk of orbital instability for Mercury by 50-80 percent.