Our partner's advertising links are included in the text
The sun is not eternal. Eventually, it will run out of fuel fueling its fusion and the star will turn into a white dwarf. This process involves the Sun expanding to the size of a red giant, then expelling its outer matter and collapsing its core into a stellar remnant that glows only with residual heat.
The research, led by physicist Amornrat Ongwirujoit, focuses on long-term changes in the brightness of the three white dwarfs and their impact on the planetary systems surrounding them.
The Earth may survive, but we will not
Scientists predict that the planets of the inner solar system, such as Mercury and Venus, will be destroyed by the growth of the Sun. Earth can survive, but only under certain conditions. Its orbit must change appropriately relative to the Sun's decreasing mass. However, if the Earth survived, it would look very different than it does today.
Scientists' research is based on observations of white dwarfs. By analyzing changes in their brightness, scientists can draw conclusions about the processes occurring in their planetary systems. Regular fluctuations in the star's brightness may indicate that there is something orbiting it, periodically blocking some of its light.
Scientists discovered that the three white dwarfs they studied show changes in brightness caused by clouds of planetary debris orbiting around them. These results indicate that The process of planets being disintegrated and eaten by white dwarfs is very rapid.
Although the results of these studies may seem a bit alarming, there is no cause for concern. Earth's oceans will boil over in about a billion years, long before the Sun reaches that point. There probably won't be humans on this planet for a long time.
Are you interested in astronomy? Check out the special offer of popular telescopes in our partner store:
Echo Richards embodies a personality that is a delightful contradiction: a humble musicaholic who never brags about her expansive knowledge of both classic and contemporary tunes. Infuriatingly modest, one would never know from a mere conversation how deeply entrenched she is in the world of music. This passion seamlessly translates into her problem-solving skills, with Echo often drawing inspiration from melodies and rhythms. A voracious reader, she dives deep into literature, using stories to influence her own hardcore writing. Her spirited advocacy for alcohol isn’t about mere indulgence, but about celebrating life’s poignant moments.
