When Will the Sun Transition to a Black Dwarf?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the timeline for the Sun's transition to a black dwarf, exploring theoretical estimates and factors influencing this process. Participants consider various models and assumptions related to stellar evolution and cooling rates.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the Sun will become a black dwarf in about a trillion years.
  • Another participant argues that it will take longer than a trillion years, referencing estimates from Barrow and Tipler that suggest a white dwarf could take up to 1015 years to cool to 5 K.
  • There is mention of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) potentially affecting the cooling rate, with one participant noting that if WIMPs exist, some white dwarfs might remain warmer for approximately 1025 years.
  • A participant raises a point about the definition of "black," indicating that if WIMP heating is considered, a white dwarf could remain at 63 K, still glowing in infrared, and that cooling to below 800 K could take around 2 trillion years.
  • Another participant notes that real white dwarfs have an opaque outer crust that slows down heat escape, affecting cooling rates.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the timeline for the Sun's transition to a black dwarf, with no consensus reached on the exact duration or factors influencing the cooling process.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights uncertainties regarding the definitions of temperature thresholds for "black" and the impact of WIMPs on cooling rates, as well as the complexities of heat escape in real white dwarfs.

Richard87
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At what point in time will the sun become a black dwarf? A trillion years?
 
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Longer than a trillion years.

From wikipedia:

"Barrow and Tipler estimate that it would take 10[sup15[/sup] years for a white dwarf to cool to 5 K; however, if weakly interacting massive particles exist, it is possible that interactions with these particles will keep some white dwarfs much warmer than this for approximately 1025 years."

(And WIMPs are a rather good bet)
 
When I read the title I thought of gary coleman for a split second.

Yeah I think its a trillion years
 
Depends on how you define "black" since WIMP heating, according to Adams & Laughlin's estimates, will heat a white dwarf to 63 K, making it still glowing in IR. But if we're talking below the temperature at which an object glows with its own heat, roughly 800 K, then a white dwarf that's presently at ~4000 K will take about ~2 trillion or so years to cool to that point. An isothermal ball would cool quicker (just ~1 trillion years), but real white dwarfs have an opaque outer crust which slows down the escape of heat.
 

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