The Far Future of the Sun, Earth and Life in the Solar System

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A public lecture by Dr Ian Crawford.

 

This talk will discuss the long-term evolution of the Sun and its effect on the future habitability of the Solar System. Once the Sun becomes a red giant star in about 6 billion years time, and probably well before, life on Earth will become impossible. On the otherhand, Mars and the icy moons of the outer solar system will become more habitable, albeit relatively briefly. Meanwhile, on a similar timescale, the Solar System will witness a colision between our galaxy and the Andromeda Galaxy, the likely consequences of which will also be discussed.

 

Ian Crawford is a Reader in Planetary Science and Astrobiology at Birkbeck College London and currently Senior Secretary of the RAS.


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