5 to 7 Billion Years From Now: The Sun Turns into a Red Giant
- The Sun will exhaust its hydrogen and helium reserves, expanding to 256 times its current size and becoming a red giant.
- During this phase, it will emit immense heat and radiation, making life on Earth increasingly impossible.
5 Million Years After Becoming a Red Giant: The Inner Solar System is Engulfed
- Mercury and Venus will be swallowed by the expanding red giant.
- Earth will experience extreme heat, causing its carbon cycle to collapse:
- Carbon dioxide levels will drop, leading to the extinction of plant life.
- The death of plants will result in a sharp decrease in oxygen, eliminating mammals and birds.
- Smaller oxygen-dependent creatures will perish shortly after.
Insects and Microbial Life Hold On
- As temperatures rise, insects will die out, leaving only resilient microbial life.
- Tardigrades, known for their ability to survive extreme conditions, will be the last survivors on Earth.
Surface Temperature Surges to Over 2,400 K
- Earth’s surface will experience temperatures exceeding 2,130°C (3,860°F).
- Excessive rain, wind, and radiation will ravage the planet, stripping away its atmosphere.
- The land will become barren, composed of metal and metal oxides.
Oceans Boil and Tectonic Plates Cease Movement
- The rising heat will cause Earth’s oceans to evaporate completely, leaving behind a planet covered in a lava ocean.
- With no water, tectonic plates will stop moving, halting geological activity.
7.6 Billion Years From Now: Earth is Swallowed by the Sun
- As the Sun expands further, Earth and its moon will be engulfed by the red giant.
- The habitable zone in the solar system will shift to the Kuiper Belt, beyond Neptune.
The Kuiper Belt Becomes the New Frontier
- Icy worlds like Neptune’s moon Triton and the dwarf planet Eris will warm, with liquid water potentially forming.
- These distant celestial bodies could become the next homes for humanity, where colonies and settlements may be established.
1 Quadrillion Years From Now: The Sun Becomes a Black Dwarf
- The Sun will eventually cool and collapse, transforming into a black dwarf—a dense, cold remnant of its former self.
- By this time, the solar system will be a dark and lifeless expanse, with the Sun no longer emitting heat or light.
Humanity’s Prospects
- In the face of Earth’s demise, the outer solar system and other stellar systems may provide new habitats for humanity, emphasizing the need for space exploration and technological advancement.
- This timeline underscores the importance of preserving knowledge and resources to ensure the survival of life beyond Earth.
