'Second sun in the sky on way': University lecturer

THE second biggest star in the constellation Orion may become Earth's second sun before 2012, news.com.au reported on Wednesday.

Dr Brad Carter, senior lecturer of Physics at the University of Southern Queensland, said Betelgeuse is losing mass or 'fuel' in the center and will explode when it runs out, creating a second sun in the night sky.

When the giant star, which is much brighter than the Sun, explodes, there will be no night for several weeks on Earth, Dr Carter said. But there is no certainty about when the supernova will occur: It could happen tomorrow or in a million years, the report said.

Some have claimed the impending supernova proves the Mayan calendar's prediction of the apocalypse in 2012. However, according to Dr Carter, the supernova explosion will provide Earth with elements helpful for human survival.

'When a star goes bang, the first we will observe of it is a rain of tiny particles called neutrinos. It literally makes things like gold, silver - all the heavy elements - even things like uranium.'

Dr Carter also speculated the explosion may result in the formation of a black hole about 1,300 light years from Earth or a neutron star. -- KOREA HERALD/ANN

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/TechandScience/Story/STIStory_626703.html