2006-09-25 15:23:06 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
In about 10-15 billion years, when the Sun's hydrogen supply begins to run out and it starts burning helium, it will become a red giant star. At this stage, it might come close to engulfing the Earth. Once the helium is gone, it will become a dwarf star.
2006-09-25 15:25:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
This is from Wikipedia
"While it is likely that the expansion of the outer layers of the Sun will reach the current position of Earth's orbit, recent research suggests that mass lost from the Sun earlier in its red giant phase will cause the Earth's orbit to move further out, preventing it from being engulfed. However, Earth's water and most of the atmosphere will be boiled away."
2006-09-25 22:38:15 · answer #2 · answered by gp4rts 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No.when the Sun expands to become a red giant,it will completely engulf only Mercury and Venus.The Earth will burn,killing off any life on the surface,and the Sun's gravitational pull will weaken,and Earth will drift off to a farther orbit.
2006-09-25 22:26:26 · answer #3 · answered by That one guy 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
In a star's life, a star eventually enters a 'red giant phase' where the star expands only on the surface part. It is found that when the sun enter this phase it would engulf the planet earth. but not to worry, you will not be alive to see what happens then.
2006-09-26 13:22:56 · answer #4 · answered by little 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, 100%
On the other hand, it'll happen in about 4 billion years, when the sun dies. Even if it didn't engulf the Earth, nothing will survive the death of the sun.
On the other hand, if we haven't learned to save our butts in 4 billion years, we should just throw in the towel now.
2006-09-26 00:00:11 · answer #5 · answered by ZenPenguin 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is a certainty that the Sun will engulf the Earth in a firey storm that will destroy the planet along with all of the other planets in the inner ring of our Solar System......but fear not, this event is not due for another 5 billion years or so...Not 5 million, but 5 billion.
2006-09-25 22:28:03 · answer #6 · answered by damndirtyape212 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The estimated age of Sun is 4.5 billion years. And it is also estimated that it will continue to produce energy for next 5 billion years or so. According to Chandrashekhar's Limit, Sun will end up with a burst (in simpl terms) and engulf the innerplanets first and then the outer planets. And that will be the end of our solar system.
2006-09-25 22:41:04 · answer #7 · answered by mr.brain 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It's almost a certainty that it WILL, but not for bazillions of years. As stars like the sun age, they are supposed to swell up to red giant size, which will mean that the surface of the sun will expand until it is past the orbit of the Earth. Sizzle!
2006-09-25 22:39:38 · answer #8 · answered by cdf-rom 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
not at all!!!
but, after sun reaches red giant phase it will engulf mercury and venus
and it's size will be large enough to radiate so much heat on earth that life on earth will be destroyed completely!!!
but, don't worry!!!
the sun is still young!!! it is about billions of years remaining for sun to kill life on earth!!!
2006-09-26 03:46:51 · answer #9 · answered by pragyp 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, but not in your or your children's lifetime. The Sun will collapse under its own weight in several billion years from now when it consumes most of its fuel, hydrogen. It will expand to about 300 times its present size and become a red giant. It will consume Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars and maybe a few others. This bothers me too...sometimes. I wonder, are we going back to where we came from? Where did we come from? Did we always exist and are we eternal (immortal), or is our existence recent and temporary?
2006-09-25 22:32:52 · answer #10 · answered by navigate100 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋