The future of the planet is closely tied to that of the Sun. As a result of the steady accumulation of helium ash at the Sun's core, the [[Solar luminosity|star's total luminosity]] will slowly increase. The luminosity of the Sun will increase by 10 percent over the next 1.1 billion years (1.1 [[Gigayear|Gyr]]), and by 40% over the next 3.5 Gyr. | The future of the planet is closely tied to that of the Sun. As a result of the steady accumulation of helium ash at the Sun's core, the [[Solar luminosity|star's total luminosity]] will slowly increase. The luminosity of the Sun will increase by 10 percent over the next 1.1 billion years (1.1 [[Gigayear|Gyr]]), and by 40% over the next 3.5 Gyr. |