The Sun: I read somewhere that it was getting hotter, but at what rate?

Answer 1

The Sun is expected to be 1.1 times as hot as it is now in 1.1 giga-years. So 10% per 1.1 billion years or 1% per 110 million years.

Answer 2

The Sun fluctuates in temperature, some times it becomes cooler, some times it becomes hotter, much like the Earth actually.

However, it is possible the Sun is becoming hotter, Global Warming may not be Global Warming at all, a recent discovery shows that Mars is experiencing Global Warming as well.

I wouldn't worry, though, if the Sun is getting hotter, it won't warm very fast, but enough to effect a few things.

I would suggest going to www.discovery.com and searching for your answer there.

If that doesn't help, look for an astronomy website where you can ask questions.

Answer 3

The Sun was actually born as a blazing hot inferno. This is usually labeled by a initial white flare, followed by blue. Much like fire on Earth. The Sun, being middle-aged, is yellow/orange. This labels a loss of energy, so it's cooling.

We sure as hell are getting hotter, but I do not feel like explaining that.

The Sun has periods of hyperactivity, increasing in temperature. Still nothing horrible.

As for rate? Nothing to worry about. 5 billion more years till we start worrying. Also, the Sunlight takes 8 min. to reach us.
If the Sun fizzles, we won't know till 8 minutes later, when the light granting us visibility updates. We'll be dead as soon as we notice, pretty much.

Overall, worry about our very race killing us off. Either by climate shift or a big fat missile that says "BYE!" right on the nose.

Answer 4

The sun is not getting hotter.

Answer 5

No Jonathan, you're getting older giving you the impression girls are getting hotter. I suffer with the same affliction. LOL

Answer 6

The sun is actually cooling, not very quickly you'll be pleased to hear.

Someone on here (probably Al Gore) will tell you why you feel warmer.

Answer 7

Try

http://www.astronomy.ohio-state.edu/~pogge/Lectures/vistas97.html

The page says that the sun will be 10% brighter in about 1.1 billion years. Enough to give the earth a pretty bad "sunburn".

But please also read

http://astrosun2.astro.cornell.edu/academics/courses//astro201/evol_sun.htm

http://casswww.ucsd.edu/public/tutorial/StevI.html

http://instruct1.cit.cornell.edu/courses/astro101/java/evolve/evolve.htm

Stellar evolution is complicated but it pays off to understand a few basics.

Have fun!

Answer 8

The sun's temperature does vary up and down slightly, but overall the average temperature remains quite constant.

Answer 9

The girls may be getting hotter, this much is true.

Answer 10

Go to:
janus.astro.umd.edu/astro/stars/SunsLife.html