Earth 'to get second sun this year' as supernova turns night into day (well, maybe)

Daily Mail ^ | 1/21/11 | David Gardner

[markomalley]

The Earth could soon have a second sun, at least for a week or two.

The cosmic phenomenon will happen when one of the brightest stars in the night sky explodes into a supernova.

And, according to a report yesterday, the most stunning light show in the planet’s history could happen as soon as this year.

Earth will undoubtedly have a front row seat when the dying red supergiant star Betelgeuse finally blows itself into oblivion.

The explosion will be so bright that even though the star in the Orion constellation is 640 light-years away, it will still turn night into day and appear like there are two suns in the sky for a few weeks.

The only real debate is over exactly when it will happen.

In stellar terms, Betelgeuse is predicted to crash and burn in the very near future. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to rush out and buy sunglasses.

Brad Carter, Senior Lecturer of Physics at the University of Southern Queensland in Australia, claimed yesterday that the galactic blast could happen before 2012 – or any time over the next million years.

[GeronL]

Oh no... NOT Beetle Juice!!

[mwilli20]

could happen before 2012 – or any time over the next million years

This guy sounds like a climate scientist ;-)

[knarf]

What?

No hockey stick?

Just oblivian?

[RobRoy]

>>And, according to a report yesterday, the most stunning light show in the planet’s history could happen as soon as this year. <<

I believe it is scheduled to happen in late December of 2012.

;)

[Hot Tabasco]

[cweese]

"Brad Carter, Senior Lecturer of Physics at the University of Southern Queensland in Australia, claimed yesterday that the galactic blast could happen before 2012 – or any time over the next million years."

Brad really narrows it down.

[Brett66]

claimed yesterday that the galactic blast could happen before 2012 – or any time over the next million years.

I doubt if they can pinpoint when a star goes supernova within such a relatively small time frame of a star's life.

Wouldn't a better way of saying it have been "One-in-a-million chance that Betelgeuse will go supernova this year."

[GonzoGOP]

the galactic blast could happen before 2012 – or any time over the next million years.

Yep I just love those high precision estimates. Their estimate is give or take a longer period of time than humans have been in existence.

[johnthebaptistmoore]

I hope that Triffids don’t start growing on Earth, at the same time this “light show” happens! :)

[Paladin2]

"the most stunning light show in the planet’s history could happen as soon as this year. "

Sounds like it's already happened. It's just in the galactic DVR.

[IMR 4350]

Blah Blah Blah!

Aint worth a damn if we don't get the big busted space aliens to go along with it.

[cripplecreek]

the galactic blast could happen before 2012 – or any time over the next million years.

Now that's what I call wiggle room.

[Larry Lucido]

So if it blew up 639.9 million years ago, we should be seeing it right about.............now!

[Tublecane]

“The Earth could soon have a second sun, at least for a week or two.

The cosmic phenomenon will happen when one of the brightest stars in the night sky explodes into a supernova. “

I don’t get how that is supposed to be a “second sun.” The sun isn’t an especially bright star; it’s the star around which our planet revolves. Stupid article.

[dragonblustar]

When this happens, should we be worried about gamma ray exposer?

[Larry Lucido]

That’s why the Rapturists haven’t glommed on to this thread. If it’s not just around the corner, it ain’t a sign of the Second Coming.

[Soothesayer]

I just wish that damn sun would detonate a little bit closer.

[ArrogantBustard]

could happen before 2012 – or any time over the next million years

This guy sounds like a climate scientist ;-)

Sounds like a typical "end-times" "prophet"

[Larry Lucido]

should we be worried about gamma ray exposer?

I thought the gamma ray exposer got arrested....