Scientists Revise Predictions: Earth Safe From Sun's Expansion

WHO:

Phys.org - Mats Esseldeurs, lead author of the study, is an astrophysicist at Belgium's University of Leuven.

Yahoo - Stephane Mathis, co-author of the study, is an astrophysicist at the CEA Paris-Saclay centre in France.

WHAT:

Phys.org - Scientists have revised predictions regarding the fate of Earth in relation to the Sun's expansion.

Yahoo - The Sun is expected to go through two immense expansion phases: first becoming a red giant, then an "AGB" star.

Yahoo - The study indicates that Earth may escape being engulfed by the Sun due to a balance between tidal interactions and the Sun's mass loss.

Yahoo - Mars is also predicted to escape a death spiral into the Sun, while Mercury and Venus will be swallowed.

WHERE:

Yahoo - The study references a nearby star called L2 Puppis, which is similar to the Sun.

WHEN:

Yahoo - The engulfing of Earth by the Sun is not expected to happen for another five billion years.

WHY:

Yahoo - The fate of Earth depends on a delicate balance between tidal interactions and the Sun's mass loss.

Yahoo - Advances in modeling tidal dissipation over the last 15 years have led to the new conclusions.

HOW:

Yahoo - The study utilized advanced modeling techniques to show that tidal dissipation is lower than previously expected.

(UPDATED June 19, 2026 21:23 UTC)

Scientists have revised predictions about Earth's fate as the Sun expands, suggesting that Earth may avoid being engulfed during this process. The study, led by astrophysicist Mats Esseldeurs from Belgium's University of Leuven and co-authored by Stephane Mathis from the CEA Paris-Saclay centre in France, indicates that both Earth and Mars are likely to escape a death spiral into the Sun, while Mercury and Venus will be swallowed. This new understanding comes from advanced modeling techniques that have improved our grasp of tidal dissipation, revealing that it is lower than previously thought, and the engulfing of Earth is not expected to occur for another five billion years.