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Astronomy/TOPIC: Sun & Current Events

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Expert: - 11/18/2006


Question
          I was pondering about how many years it would take for the sun to burn out? Furthermore, I would also like to know of any current events that are taking place.
Thank you for your time,
John  

Answer
Hello,

It will take approximately 6 billion years for the Sun to "burn out" - by which we mean all nuclear reactions cease. This probably has an error range of plus or minus 1 billion years.

The main current (solar) event taking place is the nearing of the end of the latest solar (sunspot) cycle- which saw its minimum in 2006. Thus, January should usher in the first new sunspots of the new cycle - leading to the next maximum.

If you want to know about *ALL the astronomical events* to take place this month and next (other than solar) please get the latest(December, 2006)  ASTRONOMY magazine which features an entire section devoted to them, as well as sky maps, event calendars.  

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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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