Space

Stephen Hawking Gives Earth An Expiration Date

Stephen Hawking says humans will likely go extinct in the next 1,000 years — unless we can leave Earth.

Stephen Hawking Gives Earth An Expiration Date
Getty Images
Article by Grant Suneson
SMS
November 17, 2016

One of the world's most famous scientists, Stephen Hawking, says our planet has an expiration date. Don't freak out too much, though. It's probably not going to affect you.

Hawking said in a lecture at Oxford University he doubts humanity will last for another 1,000 years — unless we can move on and inhabit Mars or another planet.

SEE MORE: Scientists Really Want To Smash A Spacecraft Into An Asteroid

The famed physicist said dwindling resources on our big blue planet mean we humans will eventually have to find another home.

Hawking added that threats like nuclear war, climate change or artificial intelligence run amok a la "Terminator" could make humanity's time on Earth even shorter.

Fortunately, NASA's been scanning the stars for a suitable replacement planet, and it's found a few thousand potential candidates beyond our solar system.

SEE MORE: If You Want To Live On Mars, Be Prepared To Build Your Own Society

But until we have the technology to get people out that far, we'll have to settle for our nearest not-quite-habitable neighbor, Mars. SpaceX founder Elon Musk hopes humans will arrive on the red planet by 2025.