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Will the Sun die in 5 billion years? Photo: Getty
Some scientists believe that the Sun’s current life cycle will end in about 5 billion years from now. At that point, the Sun will consume most of its hydrogen core. Afterward, the Sun as we know it will die. During this event, the Sun will transform into a brilliant red giant star, ceasing to produce heat through nuclear fusion reactions. NASA explains that the Sun’s core will become unstable and contract during this period.
Once the core begins to destabilize, the outer layers of the Sun will expand. This expansion will eventually engulf Mercury and Venus. Additionally, the solar winds from the Sun will impact Earth, leading to the loss of its magnetic field that generates the protective atmosphere. This presents the greatest threat to any potential life forms on our planet.
The Future of Humanity In fact, when such catastrophes occur, it’s likely that humans won’t be around on Earth to witness them.
According to scientists, Earth’s oceans will evaporate due to the Sun’s energy in about 1 billion years. By that time, the Sun’s brightness will also increase by around 10%. Furthermore, there are other threats from climate change.
Some scientists suggest that the future of Earth looks grim. Perhaps that’s why many are interested in space exploration and are attempting to establish humanity on other planets. This not only allows humans to persist but also provides us with a new home in preparation for the scenario when the Sun eventually ‘dies’.