Science
Life on Earth has an expiration date, and we already know how long it is before it ends
The sun is a crucial factor for the existence of life on our planet, and as such, it’s bound to change how that looks as it evolves. Or when it ends.
Life on Earth is not going to last for eternity. The variables for it to even be possible depend on various conditions: the existence of water, chemical composition, temperature, the environment, etc. Different species live in different conditions, but they all depend on the Sun, our star. Without it, the existence of humans, other animals, and vegetation would not be possible. Therefore, the destiny of all creatures is linked to that of the star at the center of our solarsystem. When the sun dies, the Earth will no longer be the same as the blue planet that we all have in mind. The oceans will have evaporated and humans will have disappeared, unless we manage to colonize other planets in the universe, but that is still only science fiction.
A destiny tied to the Sun
We don’t know if the end will be before or after. Maybe climate change will lead us to an earlier extinction, or maybe we will manage to survive longer as a species, who knows? What is clear is that the time will come when the Sun alters the conditions that allow life today. According to sources consulted by Live Science, it is estimated that in about 1.3 billion years human beings will already be extinct, a few million years before the star becomes a red giant and engulfs planet Earth.
“The Earth will probably be about 4.5 billion years old before the sun becomes a red giant and engulfs the planet,” said Ravi Kopparapu, a planetary scientist at NASA. Before that happens, rising temperatures will cause the “evaporation of the oceans” and the disappearance of the atmosphere: At that point, “humans will not be able to survive on Earth due to the heat and humidity conditions. In about 2 billion years, the oceans may evaporate and the Sun’s luminosity will be more than 20% what it is now.” Some microorganisms such as extremophiles will be able to survive longer, but sooner or later they will also disappear.
Follow MeriStation USA on X (formerly known as Twitter). Your video game and entertainment website for all the news, updates, and breaking news from the world of video games, movies, series, manga, and anime. Previews, reviews, interviews, trailers, gameplay, podcasts and more. Follow us now!