The future of our Sun is a topic that captivates so many people. The age and life cycle, as well as its potential death date have been studied by scientists for years now but there’s still so much more to learn.
However, scientists have managed to figure out a few key points about the Sun’s future, including the end of its current life phase.
While the Sun’s final death is still trillions of years away, some scientists estimate the current phase of the Sun’s life cycle will finish in as little as 5 billion years. The huge star at the centre of our Solar System will have consumed most of its hydrogen core by that time. The Sun as we know it will have basically died.
The Sun will become a red giant as a result of this. Nuclear fusion will cease to be a source of heat. Around this time, NASA predicts that the core will become unstable and contract.
The outer layers of the Sun will expand as the core becomes unstable. Mercury and Venus will eventually be swallowed up by this expansion. Furthermore, the Sun’s harsh solar winds will slam into the Earth, robbing it of the magnetic field that creates its atmosphere.
It’s a terrifying thought to consider, especially for any life—human or nonhuman—that might survive all those years. Of course, there are a plethora of other threats from the Sun that must be dealt with first.
While the thought of the Sun dying is terrifying, there’s a chance humanity will not be here to witness it.
The Earth’s seas will be destroyed by the Sun’s energy in a billion years, according to scientists. The brightness of the Sun will have increased by about 10% at that time. There are also other dangers associated with climate change to consider.
In the end, scientists predict that the Earth’s future is bleak. That may explain why so many people are interested in space exploration and getting us to other planets. It would not only allow humanity to continue to exist, but it would also provide us with a new home to retire to when the Sun dies.
