Light from a distant Sun ...

[WhiteCrowNZ]

Sounds like astronomers are expecting a nearby(ish) star to explode some time soon. Although in astronomical terms, what is "soon"?


http://io9.com/5738542/earth-may-soon-have-a-second-sun

The red supergiant star Betelgeuse is getting ready to go supernova, and when it does Earth will have a front-row seat. The explosion will be so bright that Earth will briefly seem to have two suns in the sky.

The star is located in the Orion constellation, about 640 light-years away from Earth. It's one of the brightest and biggest stars in our galactic neighborhood - if you dropped it in our Solar System, it would extend all the way out to Jupiter, leaving Earth completely engulfed. In stellar terms, it's predicted to explode in the very near future. Of course, the conversion from stellar to human terms is pretty extreme, as Betelgeuse is predicted to explode anytime in the next million years.

But still, whether the explosion occurs in 2011 or 1002011 (give or take 640 years for the light to reach Earth), it's going to make for one of the most unforgettable light shows in our planet's history. For a few weeks, the supernova will be so bright that there will appear to be two stars in the sky, and night be will indistinguishable from day for much of that time. So don't count on getting a lot of sleep when Betelgeuse explodes, because the only sensible thing for the world to do will be to throw a weeks-long global supernova party.

[Rob McCow]

Well it would be pretty amazing if it happened in our lifetimes, wouldn't it?

Bad news for Ford Prefect though.

[Llordllama]

Not to mention the Mighty Tharg!

[WhiteCrowNZ]

I was a bit worried when I read it - it's one of those things we've been told in Astronomy - if a star goes supernova within 100 Light Years it's the end of life as we know it. But about 780 is pretty safe I'd guess.

Esp as the r squared rule of radiation being spread out should apply.

[SiHart]

2 suns in the sky... it's some kind of Sci-Fi madness!

Si xx

[Si Hunt]

Does anyone want to take a look at the fabulous walking plant in my back garden?

Si.

[Dino]

"Two Suns In The Sunset"? What a cue for a song!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOJHz6Przdw Ignoring the anti-nuke message, it'll make my day if the radio plays this to celebrate!
And welcome the return of planet Nirbiru the year after! (*Gets whispered in the ear) Oh... wrong forum! Sorry...