Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Sunday, 24 February 2008 17:27
Science -
Space
Page 2 of 3
New calculations have changed those initial predictions for the worse, with Smith saying that: "If that were the only effect the Earth would indeed escape final destruction. However, the tenuous outer atmosphere of the Sun extends a long way beyond its visible surface, and it turns out the Earth would actually be orbiting within these very low density outer layers”.
This meant the destruction of the Earth, with Smith warning that: “The drag caused by this low-density gas is enough to cause the Earth to drift inwards, and finally to be captured and vaporised by the Sun."
The
new paper was written in collaboration with Dr Klaus-Peter Schroeder, previously at Sussex, who is now in the Astronomy Department of the University of Guanajuato in Mexico.
Still, we have plenty of time to do something about it, should we still be around in a billion years. You might think we have 7.6 billion years as a species to take action, but scientists have shown that the Sun's slow expansion will cause the temperature at the surface of the Earth to rise.
This means that the oceans will evaporate, and the atmosphere will become laden with water vapour, which (like carbon dioxide) is a very effective greenhouse gas.
Eventually, the oceans will boil dry and the water vapour will escape into space. In a billion years from now the Earth will be a very hot, dry and uninhabitable ball – with 6.6 billion years of lifeless orbiting to go before being swallowed up in a blaze of glory.
So, what can be done to prevent this terrible fate? Please read onto page 3 for some decidedly sci-fi-esque answers!
