As time goes on, inevitable processes will determine the fate of our Sun, Earth, neighboring planets, and the whole Universe itself. Let's have a peek at a future so distant that it's hard to comprehend and try to answer one particularly alarming question: what will happen to us in the next 5 billion years?

The radius of the Sun will be one astronomical unit, which is the distance between the Sun and the Earth. To put that in perspective, right now the Sun’s radius is only 1/215th of an astronomical unit. As is typical of all stars of such a huge size, the Sun will start to cool as it uses up all its energy. The Sun will literally be expelling its atmosphere. As a dramatic result, our Sun will go from a massive giant into a tiny white dwarf.

We’re not exactly sure if or when a volcanic apocalypse will happen, it could be anywhere from 0 to 100 million years from now.

Freezing of the Earth’s core will certainly lead to the demise of all forms of life on our planet. Scientists believe this is probably what happened to Mars.

Fortunately, we have the entire Universe with countless stars and planets that could become a new home for humanity and other earthly species. Chances are that in the next few centuries, people will develop technologies that will allow us to move on in search of new worlds suitable for Earth’s inhabitants.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices