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Can planets exist forever or do they have a lifespan?

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astro0 Fri 02-Jan-26 22:15:29

Assuming that a rocky planet or a gas giant doesn't get swallowed by a red giant or torn apart by a supermassive black hole can they just exist forever until the heat death of the universe? How would Jupiter look like let's say 10^100 years from now assuming it manages to survive the black hole era?

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Allira Fri 02-Jan-26 22:54:29

Don't worry.

In about five billion years time, the Sun will become a red giant and swallow us up before it starts to affect Jupiter.

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Maremia Sat 03-Jan-26 09:05:37

Well, that was resolved very speedily.

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Allira Sat 03-Jan-26 10:23:32

😁

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Belardo Tue 03-Feb-26 12:03:19

As I understand it, the Universe is in a constant state of change. Whole galaxies are born and die in a mere twinkling of cosmic time.

So, no. I wouldn't expect any planet to exist forever in its current form, but to ultimately break down (or be destroyed by some event) and become part of another entity within the Universe.
As for Jupiter in the next 10-100 years? It will probably be quite similar to how it has been for however many billions of years it has existed in its current form.

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