The Impact of Solar Mass Loss on Earth's Orbit

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the impact of solar mass loss on Earth's orbit, specifically noting that the sun loses mass at a rate of approximately one Earth mass every 43 million years due to the conversion of matter to energy. Additionally, solar wind contributes to mass loss, accounting for about 30% of the total, with a current combined effect of approximately 9e-14 solar masses per year. The analysis concludes that as the solar mass decreases, the Earth's orbital radius increases proportionally, while the orbital period increases at twice that rate.

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Ian
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If the sun is converting matter to energy it must be losing mass at roughly one Earth mass per 43 million years (calculated from the solar constant).

How would the loss of solar mass affect the Earth's orbit?
 
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The sun also loses mass via the solar wind. This is presently about about 30% of mass loss due to radiation, but was significantly greater in the young sun. The combined effect is currently about 9e-14 solar masses per year. The orbital radius increases in proportion to the solar mass loss; the period increases at twice this rate.
 

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