image

Future Jupiter. Artwork of Jupiter (blue, centre left) in around 100 billion years time, as seen from the Jovian moon Io. In 100 billion years, the Sun will have orbited 1000 times around the centre of our Milky Way galaxy. Jupiter's storms, such as the Great Red Spot, have subsided, and the ammonia and methane that coloured its atmosphere have sunk to lower levels. The dim red starlight illuminates the blue-green hydrogen of Jupiter's outer layers. The massive blue stars and our yellow Sun have long since ceased to shine. Earth (not seen) is a barren, frozen world. Long-lived, small stars now dominate the night sky as they brighten and become red giant stars. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/LYNETTE COOK)