Effects of a 10^60 Decrease in Solar Photon Energy on Earth's Temperature

In summary, a factor of 10^60 decrease in the energy output of the sun would result in a planet-wide collapse.
  • #1
bhsmith
37
0
What would happen if the Energy of the photons from the sun decreased by 10^60?
I think it means that the Earth would be colder than it is because the sun is not emmiting as much heat, but I'm not sure if that is correct. Thanks for any help!
 
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  • #2
A factor of 10^60 decrease in the energy output of the sun would make it basically a completely black ball. The solar luminosity is something like 10^26W, so dividing that by 10^60 gets you some ridiculously small number like 10^-44W...

The Earth would no longer have an external energy source, and would cool down to very frigid temperatures. It takes a little bit of time for this to happen though because the Earth has an atmosphere which traps heat, but after a couple of...days or weeks (I'm not sure how long it would actually take), the Earth would be a baron wasteland.
 
  • #3
Matterwave said:
A factor of 10^60 decrease in the energy output of the sun would make it basically a completely black ball. The solar luminosity is something like 10^26W, so dividing that by 10^60 gets you some ridiculously small number like 10^-44W...

The Earth would no longer have an external energy source, and would cool down to very frigid temperatures. It takes a little bit of time for this to happen though because the Earth has an atmosphere which traps heat, but after a couple of...days or weeks (I'm not sure how long it would actually take), the Earth would be a baron wasteland.

I think such a sudden reduction in output without having burned through its store of nuclear fuel would result in a sudden collapse, nova, and re-ignition... every part of which which kill us. Matterwave's answer is as good as any. I would suspect that it would take a great deal of time for all life to die, at least those stranger forms that seem to eschew sunlight and live on geothermal processes.
 

FAQ: Effects of a 10^60 Decrease in Solar Photon Energy on Earth's Temperature

What is a 10^60 decrease in solar photon energy?

A 10^60 decrease in solar photon energy refers to a hypothetical scenario in which the amount of energy emitted by the sun decreases by a factor of 10 raised to the power of 60. This is an extremely significant decrease in energy and is not currently a realistic possibility.

How would a 10^60 decrease in solar photon energy impact Earth's temperature?

The impact of a 10^60 decrease in solar photon energy on Earth's temperature would be catastrophic. The sun is the primary source of heat for our planet, and such a significant decrease in energy would result in a dramatic drop in temperature, potentially leading to an ice age.

What would happen to life on Earth if there was a 10^60 decrease in solar photon energy?

If a 10^60 decrease in solar photon energy were to occur, it would have a devastating effect on life on Earth. The decrease in temperature would likely result in widespread extinction of plant and animal species, as well as disruptions to food chains and ecosystems.

Is a 10^60 decrease in solar photon energy a realistic possibility?

No, a 10^60 decrease in solar photon energy is not a realistic possibility. The sun's energy output is relatively stable, and such a significant decrease would require a major catastrophic event, which is highly unlikely.

How can we prepare for the potential effects of a 10^60 decrease in solar photon energy?

Since a 10^60 decrease in solar photon energy is not a realistic possibility, there is no need to prepare for its potential effects. However, we can continue to monitor the sun's activity and prepare for more realistic scenarios, such as fluctuations in solar energy output or changes in the Earth's orbit that may affect our climate.

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