Astronomy 104
Blog #1
Article: Kissing the Earth Goodbye in About 7.59 Billion Years
Author: Dennis Overbye
This article explains how two scientists, Klaus-Peter Schroeder and Robert Connon Smith, have hypothesized that the sun will increasing expand. This will result in the earth being dragged from its orbit. According to the scientists some facts that support this theory is the earth will become ten percent brighter in the next billion years. This will cause the earth to boil. The earth will be placed in the position of Mars because the Suns gravitational grip will be weaken as it releases its mass. Also, through calculations the Schroeder and Smith have discovered by realizing the amount of mass lost during cataclysmic expansions and the distance the earth moves. The scientists have come to the conclusion that the more mass the sun loses; it is more likely the sun will expand.
I believe this article relates to out discussion in astronomy because in the first weeks of class we were introduced to the different planets. In the text we learned that the sun is a ball of gas with a diameter one hundred times the size of the earth. Another concept we learned is that when stars evolve they become larger and lose gases. This relates to the sun expanding over time.
I believe this article should be a concern because it is discussing the future of the planet that we live on. I believe scientists should try to discover the accuracy of this theory because it will affect generations that come after us. I believe it is important to discover what individuals can currently do to prevent the earth from being engulfed by the sun. Since this new discovery, I believe we should make an extra effort to improve the survival of our planet by recycling, using less gas, and conserving energy.
Work Cited
Overbye, Dennis. "Kissing the Earth Goodbye in About 7.59 Billion Years." New York
Times 11 Mar. 2008. 14 Mar. 2008
