In about 5 billion years, the Sun will exhaust its hydrogen supply, transforming into a red giant. This cosmic evolution raises crucial questions about the stability of our Solar System. A recent study published on 2025-05-31 05:35:00 highlights the potential consequences of stellar interactions, suggesting that our planetary order may not be as stable as previously thought.
- Sun will become a red giant in 5 billion years.
- Solar System stability may be overestimated.
- 19 stellar passages per million years predicted.
- Mercury has highest risk of being ejected.
- Earth has a 0.2% chance of loss.
- Study published in journal Icarus.
Researchers argue that past models have overestimated the stability of planets in the Solar System. Their simulations indicate that close encounters with other stars could lead to significant disruptions, with Mercury facing the highest risk of being ejected from its orbit.
This new research raises the question: how safe is our planet in the grand scheme of the cosmos? With an estimated 19 close stellar passages per million years, the likelihood of losing planets increases significantly. Consider these points:
- Pluto has a 5% chance of instability due to orbit perturbations.
- Mercury is statistically the most vulnerable planet, with an instability probability of 50-80%.
- Earth faces a 0.2% chance of being lost, while Mars has a slightly higher risk at 0.3%.
As we look to the future, understanding these cosmic dynamics is essential. Will humanity find a way to adapt and survive as our Solar System evolves? The quest for answers continues.
