Earth will become uninhabitable before the Sun dies, scientists say

According to rough estimates, in 5 billion years, the Sun will enter the red giant phase, which could lead to Earth’s death. Specialists from University College London and the University of Warwick reached such conclusions.

As a result of the depletion of hydrogen reserves, our star will increase in size by almost 200 times, and the gravitational influence on the inner planets will become more significant. Dr. Edward Bryant, one of the authors of the study, notes that during this period, the tidal forces between the Sun and the planets will increase, likely leading to a narrowing of Earth’s orbit. This could cause it to collide with the Sun or be destroyed by gravity.

A study of 500,000 stars that have passed the main-sequence stage found that large planets are rarely seen near red giants because the stars absorb them. Scientists have recorded 130 massive planets orbiting such stars, 33 of which were discovered for the first time. Co-author of the study, Dr. Vincent van Eylen, believes that a similar fate awaits our solar system. According to his predictions, Mercury and Venus will be destroyed, and the Earth, even if it escapes complete absorption, will become uninhabitable due to increased temperature and radiation levels.

When the Sun completes the red giant stage, it will lose about half of its mass, releasing huge layers of gas and dust. The result will be a white dwarf surrounded by a bright nebula. Before that, the Earth’s atmosphere will disappear, the oceans will evaporate, and the surface of the planet will become completely lifeless. Even if the Earth physically survives, no life form will be able to withstand these transformations. Scientists emphasize that such changes are a natural and inevitable stage of the star’s existence, and our planet will be no exception.