Page 70 - The Day of Judgment

68 THE DAY OF JUDGMENT

humanity and all other living parts of creation will die.
Confirmed findings of recent research suggest that the closed
universe model is applicable. Although uncertain of exactly which
model it might be, scientists agree that the fate of the universe will
be the same: In both models the universe dies, albeit in different
ways. As we have explained above, both models lead to the Last
Day. However, there are other factors that can bring about the
universe's end, such as the Sun's completion of its life cycle. Allah
knows the truth.

THE SUN COMPLETES ITS LIFE-CYCLE

Stars are born, live for a certain period of time, and then die. Our
Sun has a limited lifetime. Before the universe meets its end, the Sun
might have completed its life cycle, which, in turn, means that Earth
will have to die as well.
The Sun is an estimated 5 billion years old. Every second, it
converts 564 million tons of hydrogen into 560 million tons of
helium. The remaining 4 million tons of matter is converted into
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energy. When it reaches the phase in which it will burn up and use
up its hydrogen, Earth's end will have come. At this stage, the
abundant hydrogen in the Sun's core will be replaced by helium,
and the core's temperature will increase from its present 20 million
degrees to 100 million degrees Centigrade. While the Sun's core
overheats, its outer layers will expand and its color will take on a
red hue instead of its usual yellow. In this way, the Sun will become
a "red giant."
Scientists make the following predictions: The Sun, so vital for
earthly life, will bloat and expand in space; our solar system's
planets will catch fire; and those small planets near to it will be