Dr Adams has found that there is one chance in 100, 000 that this would cause the earth to be ejected from the solar system before the sun becomes a red giant.

ECONOMIST: To the ends of the earth

The Sun will then become a red giant, swamping and obliterating Mercury.

BBC: Date set for desert Earth

After that it is expected to become a red giant, as the hydrogen that presently comprises it is exhausted and the sun switches to burning helium instead.

ECONOMIST: Is there anybody out there?