What will happen to the outer layers of the sun following the red giant stage?

Answer 1

It will be blown out and expand, creating what is called a planetary nebula. That nebula will eventually dissipate and enrich the interstellar gas of the galaxy.

Answer 2

The shell that breaks off from the red giant stage eventually can form planetary Nebulas. Many of these are in the Milky Way. Some stars that explode collect gas around the leftovers and make Supernova remnants. These are almost like planetary Nebulas. This is a picture of the Crab Nebula, one of the most famous Supernova remnants. It is part of the Taurus constellation. http://www.uen.org/utahlink/tours/tourImage.cgi?image_id=21780&tour_id=14274

After the red giant stage it will puff off its outer layers to form a planetary nebula, while the core will shrink to a white dwarf star, about the size of the Earth, and slowly cool for several billion years.
http://uk.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761562112_3/Sun.html

Answer 3

Hydrogen burning will change to helium burning as the Sun grows into its red giant phase. Over time, the Sun will continue to expand, likely engulfing both Mercury & Venus. It is thought the Earth may escape the Sun's gravity due to tidal acceleration.

Once the Sun reaches a certain diameter, and the interior gravity begins to decrease as the mass & temperature decrease, the Sun will collapse back onto itself, eventually becoming a white dwarf.

Answer 4

They are blown off into space when the sun runs out of nuclear fuel in its core and starts contracting again.

Answer 5

The outer atmosphere will be out around the orbit of Jupiter.