“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.
>> “The sun isn’t an especially bright star; it’s the star around which our planet revolves” <<
.
Is there another one that gives us more light?
Stupid comment, huh?
What they mean to say is that the supernova as we perceive it on Earth will as bright as we perceive the sun to be. You'll be able to sit by the pool at 2 AM and work on your tan.
This is just an - albeit sloppy - way of saying that, for a short time, the inhabitants of Earth would have the impression that there was not merely one, but rather TWO Suns (two very bright, Sun-like bodies) in the sky - our actual Sun, and a second celestial body brighter than even the full Moon.
By the way: To those who complain about or mock the imprecision of the prediction that Betelgeuse could "go nova" either before 2012 or sometime in the next couple of million years: That was most assuredly the (stupid) formulation of the journalist, who was looking for a sensational headline.
Regards,