The Life and Death of Our Sun: A Cosmic Journey

🌞The sun's nuclear fusion powers life on Earth and releases energy through the proton-proton chain.

🔴As the sun ages, it will expand into a red giant, increasing its luminosity and engulfing the inner planets, including Earth.

🌍The fate of Mars during the sun's red giant phase may make it the most habitable planet in the solar system.

⏳The sun's core will eventually become degenerate, leading to a halt in its contraction and the transition to a red giant star.

🔥During its giant phase, the sun's luminosity will increase significantly, causing the outer envelope to expand and potentially engulf the inner planets.

How does the sun's nuclear fusion sustain life on Earth?

—Through the process of nuclear fusion called the proton-proton chain, hydrogen atomic nuclei fuse to form helium, releasing energy in the process.

Will the sun eventually engulf the Earth?

—Yes, as the sun expands into a red giant during its giant phase, it is expected to engulf the inner planets, including Earth.

What will happen to Mars during the sun's red giant phase?

—Due to the increased solar radiation and possible release of carbon dioxide and water from Mars' polar caps, it may become the most habitable planet in the solar system.

What causes the sun to transition into a red giant?

—As the sun's core contracts under the force of gravity, the pressure becomes high enough to trigger electron degeneracy, leading to a halt in further contraction and the transition to a red giant.

How does the sun's giant phase affect its luminosity and size?

—During the giant phase, the sun's luminosity increases significantly, up to a thousand times more powerful, and its outer envelope expands, potentially engulfing the inner planets.

00:03The sun, a cosmic beacon of life, has sustained Earth for over four and a half billion years.

08:50The sun's core powers life on Earth through nuclear fusion, releasing enormous amounts of energy.

09:52As the sun ages, it slowly leaves the main sequence and enters the sub giant phase.

14:33The sun transitions into the red giant phase, increasing in luminosity and size.

15:32During the giant phase, the sun's outer envelope expands, potentially engulfing the inner planets, including Earth.