Will the Sun eventually end life on Earth? Here’s what the study says

A major study by scientists from NASA and Japan’s Toho University has revealed a harsh truth about Earth’s distant future. Using advanced supercomputers, researchers have shown that while our planet is full of life today, it won’t stay that way forever. It won’t be a sudden disaster that ends it all, but slow and steady changes caused by the Sun. The purpose of the study isn’t to create fear, but it does give us a serious reminder of how natural forces, over time, will take away the conditions that make life on Earth possible. Note: Images used in this article are for illustrative purposes only.

The study says that the same Sun that makes life possible today will eventually take it away. As the Sun ages, it naturally starts giving off more energy. Over the next billion years, this slow increase in solar radiation will keep heating the Earth. At some point, the temperature will rise so much that the planet won’t be able to support even the toughest forms of life. Scientists estimate that Earth will reach this final, unlivable stage about a billion years from now.

Even though the end is still a long way off, scientists say the warning signs will show up much earlier. Well before Earth becomes completely unlivable, environmental changes will begin to affect ecosystems and make survival harder. One of the first major changes will be a slow decline in atmospheric oxygen. As temperatures go up, it will become more difficult for ecosystems to produce and keep enough oxygen. This drop will directly affect all life forms that depend on oxygen– including humans.

The study also highlights a clear link between rising temperatures and declining air quality. As the Sun keeps heating the planet, it will become harder for the environment to maintain clean, breathable air. The heat will trap more pollutants, making the air not just hotter but also more harmful to breathe. This risky mix of extreme heat and poor air quality will be a big factor in reducing Earth’s ability to support life in the long run.

The researchers also note that signs of this slow transformation are already starting to show. In recent years, solar storms and coronal mass ejections– powerful energy bursts from the Sun– have been happening more often. One of the strongest solar storms in the past 20 years was recorded recently. While these events aren’t dangerous to life yet, they do affect Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere, acting as early reminders that the Sun is already playing a role in shaping the planet’s future.

Although the study looks at natural changes, scientists clearly point out that human-driven climate change is adding to the problem. Pollution from fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial activity are already putting extra stress on Earth’s ecosystems. In fact, the current pace of global warming and environmental damage could bring many of these long-term challenges much sooner than expected. The mix of the Sun’s natural changes and human impact might make some parts of the planet harder to live in much earlier than once thought.

Given these findings, scientists believe it's time to start thinking about how humans can adapt in the future. One idea being explored is the creation of sealed, artificial habitats– enclosed environments where things like temperature and air quality can be carefully controlled. These systems could provide temporary shelter from the worsening conditions outside, helping life survive in small, protected spaces even as the planet becomes less friendly to life.

With Earth’s ability to support life in the far future under threat, scientists are also looking at space colonisation as a possible long-term answer. NASA and private companies like SpaceX are already working on projects that could one day allow humans to live on other planets. While these plans are still in progress, the study points out that moving beyond Earth might become necessary for human survival once our home planet can no longer sustain life.