The estimated lifespan of the outer solar system has been downgraded from 100 billion years to just a few billion years, according to a study that probed “terminal instability” during the Sun’s death.
The article’s title should’ve focused on what 2/3 of it are written for: the beginning of life on Earth.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the solar system has been diagnosed with terminal instability and has been given a mere six billion years to live.
Actually longer than before, I suppose. The sun isn’t expected to last more than 4bn years anyway, not to mention the collision with Andromeda might screw the system before the sun does.
If, during the collision, a star or significantly large planet passes through the Solar System, it can wreck the gravity and slingshot stuff all over the place.
The collision between the galaxies isn’t even likely to cause any stars to intercept either galaxy. It likely won’t affect us in that way, possibly in some other way I am unaware of, but not by stars colliding or getting too close.
The article’s title should’ve focused on what 2/3 of it are written for: the beginning of life on Earth.
Actually longer than before, I suppose. The sun isn’t expected to last more than 4bn years anyway, not to mention the collision with Andromeda might screw the system before the sun does.
It is unlikely the “collision” with Andromeda will screw the system as the solar system is dominated by the Sun’s gravity.
If, during the collision, a star or significantly large planet passes through the Solar System, it can wreck the gravity and slingshot stuff all over the place.
If, yes, but unlikely.
The collision between the galaxies isn’t even likely to cause any stars to intercept either galaxy. It likely won’t affect us in that way, possibly in some other way I am unaware of, but not by stars colliding or getting too close.