Lifetime of Earth: Planet vs Sun

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    Earth Lifetime
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the comparative lifetimes of solid planets and their host stars, particularly focusing on the Sun. Participants explore the implications of stellar evolution on planetary existence and the conditions under which planets might survive various stellar phases.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that unless a planet experiences a significant collision or is affected by tidal drag leading to a spiral into the Sun, it can survive until the Sun's red-giant phase, after which it may continue to orbit the white dwarf remnant.
  • Another participant raises questions about the likelihood of planets existing around stars that are not observable, pondering the implications of a star's age on the presence of planets.
  • A further comment challenges the clarity of the previous question and asserts that planets can exist indefinitely without any forces causing them to dissipate.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the conditions under which planets may survive stellar evolution, and there is no consensus on the probability of planets existing around unobservable stars.

Contextual Notes

Participants' claims depend on various assumptions about stellar evolution, the nature of planetary formation, and the visibility of stars, which remain unresolved in the discussion.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring astrophysics, planetary science, and the dynamics of stellar systems.

mersecske
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What is the liftime of a solid planet compared to the life of its sun?
 
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IIRC, unless it is subject to a mega-collision, or spirals into sun due tidal drag, the next 'planet killer' is the star's red-giant phase. The Sun will then shrink to a white dwarf. Loss of mass may cause an orbit shift, but not cast planet into deep space. If the star is somewhat larger than our Sun, it will go supernova, which may zap the planet. If planet survives that, it should just orbit the stellar remnant until heat-death...
 
I mean, let's assume that we see a star on the sky (we don't know its color).
And we suppose that planets are around that star, if it is possible.
But what is the possibility that planets are around that star at this moment?
So the sun isn't to young or old?

b) And what is the same probability for any star in the galaxy,
independent of the fact that we can see or not?
 
mersecske said:
suppose that planets are around that star
what is the possibility that planets are around that star

What? This makes no sense, and I really don't know what you're asking.

A planet can exist indefinitely -- there are no forces which will ever cause it to dissipate or otherwise disrupt itself.
 

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