# Flyby-Induced Second Accretion as a Pathway to Giant Planets Around M Dwarfs

Source: [AAS Nova](https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ae984f#new_tab?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=flyby-induced-second-accretion-as-a-pathway-to-giant-planets-around-m-dwarfs) · 2026-11-12 · Space
Page: https://themorning.science/story/flyby-induced-second-accretion-as-a-pathway-to-giant-planets-around-m-dwarfs-ea59ce3aff7e3e4f
Kind: research · Impact: low

## In brief

- A new theory proposes that giant planets around M dwarfs could form when an M dwarf hosting a rocky planet passes through the disk of another star.
- In this scenario the planet gains mass and migrates inward to become a close-in giant planet.
- The work is by Shunjing Zhao et al., published in ApJL 1008 L27 (2026).

## Why it matters

It offers a candidate explanation for how close-in giant planets come to orbit M dwarfs, a question the source describes as not yet clear.

## Timeline

- 2026-11-12: AAS Nova article on the flyby-induced second accretion theory published

## Coverage

- [Flyby-Induced Second Accretion as a Pathway to Giant Planets Around M Dwarfs](https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ae984f#new_tab?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=flyby-induced-second-accretion-as-a-pathway-to-giant-planets-around-m-dwarfs) — AAS Nova, 2026-11-12

Tags: planet formation, m dwarfs, giant planets, planetary migration, stellar flybys

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Brief generated by AI (claude-haiku-5-5) from the reporting listed under Coverage. Headlines belong to their publishers. The Morning Science – https://themorning.science