Our Planet - Earth Discover

Main image: Space artist Don Dixon's portrayal of the expanded, red-giant Sun on the verge of enveloping the Earth and Moon approximately 5 billion years from now. Inset: An infrared image captured by the Spitzer Space Telescope showcasing the Helix Nebula, a remnant of debris created during the final stages of a star's life, resembling what our Sun may become.

~5 Billion: The Inevitable Demise of Earth – A Glimpse into the Sun’s Future

The Sun's eventual transformation into a red giant and then a white dwarf marks Earth's inevitable end, but it also opens possibilities for future life to thrive on other worlds

An artist's depiction of a solar storm impacting Mars and removing ions from the planet's upper atmosphere. Could Earth face a similar fate billions of years from now when our planet's magnetic field weakens or disappears?

~2-3 Billion: The Solidification of Earth’s Core – Future Implications

As Earth's core cools and solidifies over the next few billion years, the cessation of its magnetic field will lead to significant atmospheric and geological changes, fundamentally altering the planet's environment

An artist's depiction of a "hot Jupiter," one of the most frequently discovered types of exoplanets near our solar system. In about a billion years, as the Sun continues to evolve and heat up, Earth's oceans will evaporate, transforming our planet into a "hot Earth."

~1 Billion: The Future of Earth’s Oceans – Evaporation in a Brighter Sun

As the Sun gradually brightens, Earth will experience rising temperatures leading to the evaporation of oceans and eventually transforming into a dry, desert world, potentially rendering it uninhabitable within a billion years

In the distant future, the Moon will move farther away from the Earth, resulting in all solar eclipses being "annular" eclipses, like the one pictured here from May 20, 2012.

~600 Million: The Last Total Solar Eclipse – Moon’s Gradual Departure from Earth

As the Moon slowly drifts away from Earth, the phenomenon of total solar eclipses will eventually cease, with the last one expected in about 600 million years, leading to a future of only annular eclipses

If the current directions of plate movement persist, it is estimated that within approximately 250 million years, the continents will reunite, forming what is often referred to as "Pangea Proxima" or "Pangea Ultima."

~250 Million: Pangea Proxima – Envisioning Earth’s Future Supercontinent

"Pangea Proxima" explores the potential future formation of a supercontinent due to Earth's shifting tectonic plates, a continuation of the planet's dynamic geological evolution

A depiction showing the orbits of known Near-Earth Asteroids (blue) in comparison to the relatively circular orbits of Mercury, Venus, Earth (white), and Mars. This view looks down onto the north pole of the solar system.

~500,000: Predicting the Next Major Asteroid Impact on Earth

Exploring the likelihood and potential consequences of future major asteroid impacts on Earth, and the ongoing efforts to predict and prepare for these events

A 2013 photo of an erupting undersea volcano creating a new island off the coast of Nishinoshima, Japan. The future Hawaiian island of Loihi will resemble this in geological terms.

~100,000-200,000: Exploring Loihi – The Emerging Hawaiian Island

Discover Loihi, an undersea mountain set to become Hawaii's newest island. With a history of seismic activity and significant growth potential, Loihi epitomizes Earth's dynamic geological processes

Artist's representation of a cross-section of magma ascending through the Earth's crust and erupting at the location of the "Yellowstone supervolcano" in central North America.

~100,000: Understanding the Yellowstone Supervolcano – A Dormant Giant

Yellowstone, a dormant supervolcano, last erupted 630,000 years ago and is closely monitored due to its potential to significantly impact the global climate

An artistic representation of Earth during the last glacial maximum of the current ice age, approximately 2 million years ago. Could this be a glimpse of Earth's future, possibly 50,000 years from now?

~50,000: The Future of Ice Ages – Analyzing Earth’s Climatic Changes

The onset of the next glacial period in our current ice age may be delayed due to minimal orbital changes and rising CO2 levels, potentially marking the end of the Quaternary ice age

In the future, possibly within the next 50-100 years or even sooner, human civilization will deplete easily accessible fossil fuel resources such as coal, oil, and natural gas. What comes next?

~2100: The Impending Decline of Fossil Fuels – A Shift Towards Renewable Energy

The reliance on fossil fuels may end sooner than their depletion, as advancements in renewable energy sources like solar and wind are set to transform global energy consumption patterns

Artist's depiction of a deployable habitat (including an airlock) and a pressurized rover that could potentially be used in the initial human mission to Mars, expected to take place in the 2030s, 2040s, or 2050s.

~2050: The Quest for Martian Settlements – Exploring the Red Planet

Mars, with its Earth-like qualities, represents the next frontier for human exploration, potentially leading to settlements by the 2050s driven by our innate desire to explore and expand

Main image: A scaled trajectory plot depicting the positions of Earth, the Moon, and the anticipated path of the near-Earth asteroid 99942 Apophis during its close approach on April 13, 2029. Inset: A close-up view highlighting the proximity of Apophis to Earth (the white bar represents the trajectory uncertainty).

2029: The Close Encounter of Asteroid 99942 Apophis

Asteroid 99942 Apophis, initially posing a significant collision risk with Earth in 2029, has been reassessed as a near miss, highlighting the importance of asteroid monitoring

Top: A glimpse of the solar corona (the Sun's outer atmosphere) as seen from Madras, Oregon, during the total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017. Bottom: The path traced by the Moon's shadow as it moved across the United States during the same total solar eclipse.

2017: The Great American Solar Eclipse

The 2017 North American Solar Eclipse was a rare and educational celestial event that captivated millions and offered invaluable insights into the Sun's corona

NASA astronauts and twin brothers Mark (left) and Scott (right) Kelly participating in a groundbreaking 2016 medical study on the effects of extended spaceflight on the human body.

2016: The Kelly Twins Study – Insights into Long-Duration Space Travel

NASA's Twins Study on Scott and Mark Kelly reveals crucial insights into the physiological effects of long-duration space travel, including unexpected DNA changes

A 1942 photo showing smoke billowing from a US World War II production factory.

2013: The Climatic Impact of Rising Atmospheric CO2 Levels

Atmospheric CO2 levels have soared since the Industrial Revolution, exceeding 400 ppm and causing a significant rise in Earth's temperature, thereby accentuating climate change concerns

A 2008 photo showcasing typical savanna terrain in Kiang West National Park, The Gambia, West Africa.

2013: The Dynamic Ecosystem of Savannas – Between Grasslands and Woodlands

Savannas, blending grasslands with sparse woodlands, host diverse species and play a crucial role in ecosystems and economies, warranting sustainable management and conservation

A NASA RADARSAT image of the surface of Antarctica's Lake Vostok, depicted as the smooth area in the center. Satellite radar signals can penetrate through over 12,000 feet (3650 meters) of ice and snow to reveal the concealed lake beneath.

2012: Exploring the Mysteries of Lake Vostok Under Antarctic Ice

Lake Vostok, a subglacial lake beneath Antarctica's ice, offers insights into ancient ecosystems and raises questions about life in extreme environments

A 2013 photo showcasing deciduous beech trees in William Penn State Forest, Pennsylvania, adorned with vibrant fall foliage.

2011: The Beauty and Ecology of Temperate Deciduous Forests

Temperate deciduous forests, marked by their seasonal leaf shedding and vibrant autumn colors, play a vital role in the Earth's ecosystem, supporting diverse flora and fauna

A segment of the Bang Na Expressway bridge in Thailand, which spans 33 miles (54 kilometers) and holds the title of the world's longest car bridge and the sixth-longest bridge overall.

2011: Evolution of Bridge Engineering – From Ancient to Modern Marvels

From ancient wood and stone to modern steel and cable designs, bridge engineering has evolved dramatically, leading to remarkable structures like the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

Steam and ash cloud resulting from the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland on April 17, 2010.

2010: The Global Impact of Eyjafjallajökull’s 2010 Eruption

Eyjafjallajökull's 2010 eruption, though moderate on the VEI scale, had a significant global impact, disrupting air travel for millions and causing major economic losses, despite having no direct casualties