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When Will the Sun Expand and Engulf the Earth?

-- | April 1, 2016

Question: When will the temperature be unbearable here on Earth due to the Sun’s increasing size? — Charlie

Answer: Our Sun will eventually evolve into a Red Giant star, when its surface will extend beyond the orbit of Earth. This will happen in about 7.6 billion years from now, when the Sun will also brighten by about a factor of 3000. After its Red Giant stage ends the Sun will collapse into a white dwarf.

Jeff Mangum

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