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Fate of the outer planets as the Sun enters red giant phase
On a number of documentaries (such as NG's "Naked Science" series)
and in text books it discusses in some detail the fate of the inner planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars) as the Sun enters the final stages of its existence and swells into a red giant. What i'd like to know is what will happen to the outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto), I know they'll start to migrate outward as the Sun sheds mass and weakens its gravity well (I believe it swelling up to a red giant will have some effect as this will effect the distribution of its remaining mass). Will the massive increase in solar luminosity and solar wind start stripping off the gas giants atmospheres (which should be exponential as the further mass is lost the weaker their gravity and hence the grip on the gaseous envelopes plus the effects of increased surface to area ratio allowing any remaining heat of formation to escape and further swell their atmospheres). |
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Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Fate of the outer planets as the Sun enters red giant phase | [email protected] | Astronomy Misc | 123 | October 25th 08 12:28 AM |