Age of the sun
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Solar Age Determination: Mainstream Scientific Consensus
Most scientific models and measurements estimate the age of the Sun to be about 4.5 to 4.6 billion years. This estimate is based on several lines of evidence, including the ages of the oldest meteorites, models of solar system formation, and the evolutionary tracks of stars similar to the Sun. For example, one study deduced the Sun’s age to be 4.49 ± 0.04 billion years, using meteorite data and models of a 1-solar-mass star’s evolution from the T Tauri phase to the zero-age main sequence (ZAMS) . Another study using asteroseismic calibration, which analyzes the Sun’s internal oscillations, found a similar age of 4.60 ± 0.04 billion years . Including special relativistic corrections in solar models further refines this estimate, with a best-fit value of 4.57 ± 0.11 billion years, closely matching the age determined from meteorites .
Historical Perspectives on the Sun’s Age
Earlier scientific estimates, such as those by Lord Kelvin in the 19th century, suggested much younger ages for the Sun, ranging from 20 million to 500 million years, based on calculations of the Sun’s energy output and gravitational contraction 46. However, these estimates did not account for nuclear fusion, which is now known to be the Sun’s primary energy source and allows for a much older Sun.
Alternative Theories: Stellar Metamorphosis
Some alternative theories, such as the General Theory of Stellar Metamorphosis, propose that the Sun is much younger, with estimates ranging from 5.8 to 65 million years 23. These views are not supported by mainstream astrophysics and are based on different interpretations of stellar evolution and solar system history. The mainstream scientific community does not accept these much younger ages, as they conflict with a wide range of observational evidence and established physical models.
Solar Evolution and Age Indicators
The Sun’s magnetic activity, rotation, and high-energy output also provide clues to its age. Observations show that solar-type stars converge to similar rotation rates by about 700 million years, but the Sun’s current properties are consistent with an age of several billion years . These evolutionary trends further support the consensus age of around 4.5 billion years.
Conclusion
The overwhelming majority of scientific evidence supports an age for the Sun of approximately 4.5 to 4.6 billion years, based on meteorite dating, stellar evolution models, and helioseismic data 157. While alternative theories exist, they are not consistent with the broad range of data supporting the mainstream view. The Sun’s age is a cornerstone of our understanding of the solar system’s history and the evolution of stars like our own.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic