In how many years will the surface of the Sun be 75 degrees Fahrenheit?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the timeline for the Sun's surface temperature to cool to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, exploring the phases of stellar evolution, particularly the transition from a white dwarf to a black dwarf. The scope includes theoretical considerations and speculative timelines related to stellar cooling processes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the Sun will eventually cool down, questioning the time it would take to reach 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Another participant states that when the Sun's surface cools to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, it will be classified as a black dwarf, noting that the cooling process from a white dwarf to a black dwarf is estimated to take over 14 billion years, potentially exceeding 20 billion years when considering the Sun's evolution into a red giant.
  • A participant mentions uncertainty about the exact time it takes for a white dwarf to cool to a black dwarf, inviting input from knowledgeable members.
  • One participant recalls that the cooling of a white dwarf to a black dwarf takes an extremely long time, with cooling rates slowing significantly as the temperature decreases, suggesting that no black dwarf has yet been observed due to the universe's age.
  • Another participant reiterates the long timescales involved, emphasizing that no black dwarfs exist yet, as the universe is not old enough for them to have formed.
  • A later reply introduces an external reference, indicating that it may take up to 1 quadrillion years for stellar interactions to affect planetary orbits, by which time the Sun would be near absolute zero.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the cooling process from a white dwarf to a black dwarf takes an extremely long time, potentially longer than the age of the universe. However, there is uncertainty regarding specific timelines and the exact nature of the cooling process.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on theoretical models of stellar evolution and the lack of observational evidence for black dwarfs, as none have been detected due to the universe's relatively young age.

lifeonmercury
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Eventually the Sun will go through its phases and cool down. Is it possible to calculate how long it will take for the surface to cool to 75 degrees Fahrenheit?
 
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Well when our sun's surface does cool to 75 degrees fahrenheit it will be considered a black dwarf as it will not be radiating enough heat and light to be considered a white dwarf, now the current length of time it takes for a white dwarf to cool to a black dwarf is calculated to be longer than the age of the universe itself.

While i can not give you an exact time i can however assure you this process will take over 14 billion years, and over 20 billion years if you are counting the time it will take for the sun to become a red giant and then turn into a white dwarf.

I am also unsure of the time period it takes for a white dwarf to cool to a black dwarf, maybe one of our lovely mentors or science advisors can give you an idea for how long it would take.
 
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I can't remember a figure for this, but yes a white dwarf cooling to a black dwarf would take a very long time.
The cooler it gets the less it radiates until it's taking millions, even billions of years to cool by 1 more degree.
I can recall somebody who did math on this coming up with the conclusion that so far, no black dwarf can exist.
The universe isn't old enough yet.
 
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rootone said:
I can't remember a figure for this, but yes a white dwarf cooling to a black dwarf would take a very long time.
The cooler it gets the less it radiates until it's taking millions, even billions of years to cool by 1 more degree.
I can recall somebody who did math on this coming up with the conclusion that so far, no black dwarf can exist.
The universe isn't old enough yet.
Yes, that's the way I also understand it. A White Dwarf would need more than the lifetime of the universe to finally reach a black dwarf or cinder stage, and that is evident in the fact that as yet we have never seen one nor have any evidence of them as yet.
 
After looking even further into the matter, I found this link about the Timeline of the Far Future.

1015 (1 quadrillion years): Estimated time until stellar close encounters detach all planets in star systems (including the Solar System) from their orbits. By this point, the Sun will have cooled to five degrees above absolute zero.
 

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