The Sun is approximately 4.5 billion years old in 2024.
The age of the Sun is a well-established scientific fact, determined through radiometric dating of meteorites, which are believed to have formed at the same time as the Sun and the rest of the solar system.
Key Factors in Determining the Sun's Age:
- Radiometric Dating: Scientists analyze the decay of radioactive isotopes in meteorites to determine their age. Since meteorites are remnants from the early solar system, their age provides a good estimate for the Sun's age.
- Stellar Evolution Models: These models, based on our understanding of nuclear physics and stellar processes, predict the Sun's current state and its age based on its mass, composition, and luminosity.
Future of the Sun:
While the Sun is currently about halfway through its main sequence lifespan, it will continue to shine for approximately another 5 billion years. Eventually, it will evolve into a red giant, and then ultimately become a white dwarf.
