Part of a giant molecular cloud, a nebula comprised mainly of hydrogen, lithium, and helium endured a gravitational collapse—forming a protoplanetary disk and subsequently our solar system.
For Billions of Years
Stars are born and they die, contributing their elements to the makeup of the interstellar medium.
4.6 Billion years ago
The planets, including Earth, are formed out of this disk.
4 Billion years ago
Late Heavy Bombardment pelts the inner planets with a barrage of celestial objects.
3.8 Billion years ago
Life on Earth begins.
2.3 Billion years ago
Cyanobacteria induce the Great Oxygenation Event, stimulating accumulation of oxygen in the atmosphere
2 Million years ago
Homo Erectus evolved in Africa.
What The Past Has Built
You Are Here
What The Future Holds
10,000 Years from Now
The most probable estimated end of technological civilization, according to Frank Drake's original formulation of the Drake equation.
50,000 years from Now
The current interglacial period ends, sending the Earth back into a glacial period of the current ice age, regardless of the effects of anthropogenic global warming.
1 Million years from Now
Both the Pyramids of Giza and Neil Armstrong’s footprint on the moon will erode to unrecognizable forms by this point
250 Million years from Now
All the continents on Earth may fuse into a supercontinent.
1 Billion years from Now
As the Sun's radiation output increases, its circumstellar habitable zone will move outwards, making the Earth's surface too hot for liquid water to exist there naturally. All life on Earth will most likely end.
5 Billion years from Now
The Sun reaches the tip of the red-giant state, achieving its maximum radius of 256 times the present day value. In the process, Mercury, Venus, very likely Earth, and possibly Mars are destroyed. During these times, it is possible that Saturn's moon Titan could achieve surface temperatures necessary to support life.
7 Billion years from Now
Our sun passes through helium-burning horizontal-branch and asymptotic-giant-branch phases, leaving the core of the Sun behind as a white dwarf. The other remaining planets will become dark, frigid hulks, completely devoid of any form of life.
1 Quadrillion years from Now
Gravity of passing stars detaches planets from orbits. Solar System ceases to exist.
10 ^ 14 years from Now
Existing stars burn out, stars cease to be created, and the universe goes dark.
10 ^ 1000 years from Now
The universe reaches maximum entropy or “heat death”, in which it is run down to a state of no thermodynamic free energy to sustain motion or life.
The universe ceases to exist.
The great majority of the information was provided by NASA and NASA's Goddard Center.
Consider joining the fight in urging Congress to increase NASA's budget. Their work is essential and benefits all of humanity.
