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Astronomy/Sun's life-span, Mars exploration

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Expert: - 3/31/2004


Question
Hello
Do you know when our Sun will burn-out? Or does it
expand firt? I guess what I am asking is how much longer will the Sun support life on Earth? Also, when do you think men will land on Mars, if ever?
Thanks,
-Art


Answer
Hello.

The Sun will continue as a stable star for at least as long as its supply of hydrogen lasts. (Hydrogen nuclei are fused together to form helium in its core, with energy given off).

This is predicted to be for the next 4-5 billion years. By the end of that time, the Sun will begin to fuse helium, and as a result, expand in diameter to perhaps 300 times its present size.

After it burns out its helium, it will begin to reduce in size, then cool. That process will probably take another 5-8 billion years.

It is probably safe to say that the Sun can support life on Earth fairly well for at least another 3 billion years, possibly more.

As far as Mars exploration, I don't think humans will get there until a cheaper, more efficient method of space propulsion is found. I don't think that will be before the end of the present century.  

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Philip Stahl

Expertise

I have forty years of experience in Astronomy, specifically solar and space physics. My specialties include the physics of solar flares, sunspots, including their effects on Earth and statistics as applied to astronomical investigations.

Experience

Astronomy: more than forty years experience starting with construction of my own simple telescopes. Worked at university observatory in college, doing astrographic measurements. M.Phil. degree in Physics/Solar Physics and more than ten years as researcher.

Organizations
American Astronomical Society (Solar Physics and Dynamical Astronomy divisions), American Mathematical Society, American Geophysical Union

Publications
Solar Physics (journal), The Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, The Proceedings of the Meudon Solar Flare Workshop (1986), The Proceedings of the Caribbean Physics Conference (1985). Books: 'Selected Analyses in Solar Flare Plasma Dynamics', 'Physics Notes for Advanced Level'.

Education/Credentials
B.A. Astronomy, M. Phil. Physics

Awards and Honors
American Astronomical Society Studentship Award (1984), Barbados Government Award for Solar Research

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