Rogue Star Could Disrupt Earth’s Orbit, Exiling Humanity to a Frozen Fate

Is THIS How the World Will End? Earth’s Chilling Cosmic Fate Revealed

Hollywood has long imagined apocalyptic scenarios, from asteroids to climate disasters. But scientists now suggest a more celestial threat: Earth could be hurled into deep space by a passing star, leaving humanity to freeze.

A study by the Planetary Science Institute and the University of Bordeaux predicts a 1-in-500 chance over the next 5 billion years that a star’s gravitational pull might disrupt Earth’s orbit. Without the Sun’s warmth, life would face a frigid demise. While the odds are low, the simulations reveal our solar system is less stable than previously thought.

The Grim Numbers
Using thousands of simulations, researchers found:

• Pluto: 5% chance of collision or ejection.
• Mars: 0.3% risk.
• Earth: 0.2% likelihood of being flung into space.

Artist’s depiction of Earth adrift in space after losing its orbit (Image: Getty)

Dangerous Stellar Encounters
The greatest threat comes from stars passing within 100 astronomical units (AU) of the Sun—about 100 times Earth’s distance. Such close encounters have a 5% probability over 5 billion years. These stars could destabilize planetary orbits, triggering chaos.

Other Apocalyptic Risks
While stellar encounters pose a niche threat, humanity faces nearer-term risks like asteroid strikes, nuclear war, or AI rebellion. However, this study highlights the fragility of our cosmic neighborhood.

A star disrupting the solar system (Image: Science Photo Library)

Uncertain Future
The study, published on arXiv, emphasizes that future stellar interactions could drastically alter the solar system’s structure. “Passing stars broaden the spectrum of potential instabilities,” the team concluded. While the Sun’s expansion into a red giant in 5 billion years remains Earth’s likeliest end, this research reminds us that the cosmos is anything but predictable.

In the grand timeline of the universe, humanity’s existence is a fleeting moment—but for now, the odds of a stellar apocalypse remain reassuringly slim.

Published: 10:03 BST, 29 May 2025 | Updated: 10:03 BST, 29 May 2025

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