This is a very interesting read. I have never heard of the Earth's Life Clock or Earth's Clock Of Life before, but I just read this article and was quite intrigued. I thought you readers may find this to be of interest. :) It may not be humorous, but it's fascinating.
An illustration from “The Life and Death of Planet Earth” shows the
authors’ view of the Earth’s clock of life. (Image credit: Donald
Brownlee/Peter Ward)
In its 4.5 billion years, Earth has evolved from its hot, violent birth
to the celebrated watery blue planet that stands out in pictures from
space. But in a new book, two noted University of Washington
astrobiologists say the planet already has begun the long process of
devolving into a burned-out cinder, eventually to be swallowed by the
sun.
By their reckoning, Earth’s “day in the sun” has reached 4:30 a.m.,
corresponding to its 4.5 billion-year age. By 5 a.m., the 1 billion-year
reign of animals and plants will come to an end. At 8 a.m. the oceans
will vaporize. At noon – after 12 billion years – the ever-expanding
sun, transformed into a red giant, will engulf the planet, melting away
any evidence it ever existed and sending molecules and atoms that once
were Earth floating off into space.
“The disappearance of our planet is still 7.5 billion years away, but
people really should consider the fate of our world and have a realistic
understanding of where we are going,” said UW astrophysicist Donald
Brownlee. “We live in a fabulous place at a fabulous time. It’s a
healthy thing for people to realize what a treasure this is in space and
time, and fully appreciate and protect their environment as much as
possible.”
In “The Life and Death of Planet Earth,” Brownlee and UW paleontologist
Peter Ward use current scientific understanding of planets and stars, as
well as the parameters of life, to provide a glimpse of the second half
of life on Earth and what comes after.
Showing posts with label earth's life clock. Show all posts
Showing posts with label earth's life clock. Show all posts
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