Expert: Ed - 6/17/2010

Question
hi my question is if the sun ever exploded how will it affect our solar system

Answer
Shaquila, I am really sorry to be so late.  I was on vacation.  I should have alerted AllExperts.  Sorry.

The sun does not have enough mass to go supernova.  However, in a few billion years, it will expand a lot, as part of its natural development.  Until that time, it will be losing mass, so the planets will very gradually move farther and farther out from the sun.

Scientists don't know if the sun will get large enough to gobble up the earth.  Here is an article about the debate amongst scientists, as it stands today.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-sun-will-eventually-engulf-...

I hope this is helpful.  Keep Looking Up!
-Ed