The Sun may not engulf Earth after all, scientists say

Live updates

1. 5d ago

   Total solar eclipse scheduled for August 12, 2026

   A total solar eclipse will occur on August 12, 2026. Viewers must use proper eye protection even for partial phases of the event. While the eclipse provides a window for astronomical observation, separate environmental warnings from the United Nations indicate that a strengthening El Nino is currently intensifying global weather extremes. This climate volatility occurs as researchers continue to model the long-term fate of the solar system and the eventual expansion of the sun.

   Why it matters

   The upcoming eclipse allows scientists and the public to observe solar behavior. This happens against a backdrop of long-term stellar models suggesting Earth may avoid being swallowed by the sun in five billion years.

   What is confirmed

   • A total solar eclipse will take place on August 12, 2026.
   • Proper eye protection is required to view a partial eclipse.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The United Nations warns a strengthening El Nino is adding fuel to a planet already on fire.

   What to watch next

   • Visibility maps for the August 12 eclipse
   • Updated stellar models regarding solar wind intensity
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. apnews.com — UN, scientists warn that strong El Nino will add fuel to ‘a planet already on fire’
   2. www.scientificamerican.com — A complete guide to the 2026 total solar eclipse
   3. www.nationalgeographic.com — A spectacular solar eclipse is coming. Here’s how to see it.
   4. eu.northjersey.com — Will Earth lose gravity for 7 seconds? What NASA says
   confidence 90%
2. 5d ago

   Total Solar Eclipse Scheduled for August 12

   A total solar eclipse will occur on August 12, 2026. Observers require proper eye protection even for partial views of the event. This astronomical occurrence follows recent stellar modeling suggesting Earth may avoid being engulfed by the sun in five billion years, though the planet's surface will eventually become uninhabitable. While Mercury and Venus are still expected to be consumed by the expanding sun, current research indicates no upper limit to the intensity of solar winds reaching Earth.

   Why it matters

   The long-term fate of the solar system involves the sun's expansion into a red giant. Understanding solar behavior helps scientists predict the survival of planetary bodies and the habitability of Earth.

   What is confirmed

   • A total solar eclipse will take place on August 12.
   • Proper eye protection is required to view a partial eclipse.

   What to watch next

   • Viewing location reports for the August 12 eclipse
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. apnews.com — UN, scientists warn that strong El Nino will add fuel to ‘a planet already on fire’
   2. www.scientificamerican.com — A complete guide to the 2026 total solar eclipse
   3. www.nationalgeographic.com — A spectacular solar eclipse is coming. Here’s how to see it.
   4. eu.northjersey.com — Will Earth lose gravity for 7 seconds? What NASA says
   confidence 100%
3. 15d ago

   Sun's Expansion May Spare Earth as New Solar Storm Research Emerges

   Stellar models suggest Earth might avoid being swallowed by the expanding sun in five billion years, though the surface will still become uninhabitable. New research indicates there is no upper limit to the intensity of solar winds reaching Earth. Mercury and Venus are still expected to be consumed.

   What's confirmed:

   • The expanding sun will swallow Mercury and Venus in five billion years.
   • Earth's surface will become uninhabitable regardless of whether the sun engulfs it.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • There is no upper limit to the intensity of solar winds that reach Earth.
   Sources used for this update (2)

   1. An Extreme Solar Storm May Be Even More Devastating Than Previously Imagined
   2. Scientists get best-yet glimpse of Betelgeuse’s companion star
   confidence 80%
4. 41d ago

   New Research Suggests Earth May Avoid Engulfment by Red Giant Sun

   Scientists from France and Belgium used stellar evolution models to reassess the fate of the inner solar system. While the expanding sun will swallow Mercury and Venus in five billion years, Earth may drift to a safer orbit. However, the planet's surface will become uninhabitable regardless of whether it is engulfed.

   What's confirmed:

   • The sun will exhaust its hydrogen fuel and expand into a red giant star in about 5 billion years.
   • The expanding sun will engulf Mercury and Venus.
   • Earth's survival depends on the balance between solar mass loss and gravitational tidal interactions.
   • The surface of Earth will become hostile to life even if the planet avoids being swallowed.
   • The sun will grow to hundreds of times its current size during its death stage.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • Life on Earth could survive another 1.8 billion years according to new climate models.
   Sources used for this update (11)

   1. Will Earth survive the red giant sun? New research suggests yes
   2. 'The fate of Earth depends on a delicate balance': Our planet may ...
   3. Good News! The Sun Might Not Eat Earth After All, According to ... - VICE
   4. The Sun may not engulf Earth after all, scientists say - Phys.org
   5. Earth Could Survive the Sun's Bloated Death Stage, But ... - Gizmodo
   6. Science reveals fate of Earth after our sun dies - Yahoo
   7. Analysis: Earth might survive the Sun's red giant phase after all
   8. We've got a date when the sun will destroy Earth - sue us if we're ...
   9. 太陽の死に際、地球は生き延びる可能性があると最新研究が示す
   10. Science reveals fate of Earth after our sun dies
   11. Life on Earth Could Survive Another 1.8 Billion Years, New Climate ...
   confidence 90%
5. 46d ago

   Research Suggests Earth May Avoid Engulfment by Dying Sun

   New astrophysical research indicates Earth might escape being swallowed by the Sun in five billion years. Stellar mass loss from winds could push the planet into a wider, safer orbit. This challenges long-held theories about the end of the Solar System.

   What's confirmed:

   • The Sun is expected to expand in about five billion years.
   • New research suggests Earth may not be swallowed by the dying Sun.
   • Stellar mass loss from winds could push Earth into a wider orbit.
   • The Sun will transition into a red giant after burning through its core hydrogen.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • Mars will also be spared from destruction.
   • Mercury and Venus will inevitably be swallowed by the sun.
   • The Sun will become an AGB star after its helium is spent.
   • Belgian researchers conducted the study.
   Sources used for this update (12)

   1. Earth may not be swallowed by our dying sun after all, study finds - Yahoo
   2. Scientists predict how the world will end - and say Earth may NOT be ...
   3. Scientists Recalculate The End Of Earth And Discover It May Survive The ...
   4. The Sun may not engulf Earth: Amazing news for our planet!
   5. Scientists say Earth may escape the dying Sun after all
   6. The Sun may not engulf Earth after all, scientists say
   7. The Sun may not engulf Earth after all, scientists say
   8. Won't the sun eventually swallow the earth? A new study offers a ...
   9. The Sun may not engulf Earth after all, scientists say
   10. May 2024 superstorm drew most ring current ions from Earth, not solar wind, research reveals
   11. The Sun may not engulf Earth after all, scientists say
   12. Will humanity be able to protect Earth from a deadly asteroid?
   confidence 90%
6. 49d ago

   Scientists Suggest Earth May Avoid Being Engulfed by the Sun

   New research challenges previous theories that the Sun would swallow Earth. Belgian researchers indicate the planet might escape the star's death. This shift suggests complex life could persist longer than previously expected.

   What's confirmed:

   • Scientists now suggest the Sun may not engulf Earth.
   • New research challenges decades-old theories regarding the death of the planet.
   • Belgian researchers state Earth may not be swallowed by the dying sun.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • Gravity is the reason Earth escapes the dying sun.
   Sources used for this update (10)

   1. Good news—we have extra time before the Sun ends life on Earth
   2. The Sun may not engulf Earth after all, scientists say
   3. Complex life on Earth may last 500 million years longer than expected
   4. Earth might escape the Sun’s fiery death – Scientists
   5. the real reason Earth escapes the dying sun gravity
   6. Earth may not be swallowed up by dying sun after all, say Belgian researchers
   7. Sun may spare Earth and Mars, as study reverses course on death of our planet
   8. Earth might survive sun’s death as study challenges decades-old theory
   9. Scientists thought Earth would be swallowed by the sun, new research suggests it may not happen
   10. Earth may survive the Sun's death
   confidence 90%