Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: thedoc on 03/04/2012 16:38:00

Title: Will solar activity dissipate the Earth's atmosphere?
Post by: thedoc on 03/04/2012 16:38:00

With the recent solar activity pummelling the Earths atmosphere, will this dissipate our atmosphere?
Asked by Geoff, Great Massingham


                                        Visit the webpage for the podcast in which this question is answered. (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/show/2348/)

 

Title: Will solar activity dissipate the Earth's atmosphere?
Post by: thedoc on 03/04/2012 16:38:00

We answered this question on the show...



Eventually, yes it will in about a billion or a couple of billion year’s time.  The Sun is very slowly warming up and expanding.  It’s mostly in a steady state balanced between pressure pushing the Sun outwards and gravity pulling the Sun inwards.  But over time, the pressure is winning ever so slightly and causing the Sun to expand and get brighter. 
In terms of the oceans boiling, that's about a billion years away.  In terms of the Earth losing its atmosphere, that’s a couple of billion years away and it’s 5 billion years until the Earth will actually fall into the Sun and we will be burned to a cinder.

Title: Re: Will solar activity dissipate the Earth's atmosphere?
Post by: yor_on on 07/04/2012 15:37:27

So I have time to go the pub?

Title: Re: Will solar activity dissipate the Earth's atmosphere?
Post by: imatfaal on 10/04/2012 11:26:36

Quote from: yor_on on 07/04/2012 15:37:27

So I have time to go the pub?

There is always time to go to the pub

Title: Re: Will solar activity dissipate the Earth's atmosphere?
Post by: yor_on on 10/04/2012 18:50:16

I really need to reread that book.
and bring a towel..