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Last Post 3/22/2012 12:15 PM by  Terry Kucera
Sun dying out
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3/22/2012 10:53 AM

    It's Nathan. Does the sun go through phases before it dies out?

    Tags: sun, stellar evolution

    Terry Kucera



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    3/22/2012 12:15 PM

    Hi Nathan,

    Yes, we think the Sun will go though phases before dying out. Right now it is sort of middle aged, but eventually when burns though the hydrogen in its core and starts burning heavier elements it will expand to form a red giant start. This would be about 5 billion years form now. At that time it could expand to near the orbit of the Earth. Then, after a while we expect it to lose its outer atmosphere, leaving behind just a hot, dense white dwarf star. Then after a very very very long time the white dwarf star would eventually cool down and fade out.

    You can read more about it here:

    http://www.windows2univer...uff/tourstars_1.html

    Terry

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