Buzz
While dual suns might promise an enviable tan, the rhythm of our days and nights would become wildly unpredictable.
NASA/Sebastain Kaulitzki/Science Photo Library/Corbis/D. FaganKey Insights
- With two suns, Earth could face freezing conditions, causing all water to turn to ice and making life as we know it unsustainable.
- Daylight would intensify with both suns in the sky, while nights would fluctuate depending on the timing of each sun's setting.
- Eclipses might occur more frequently as one sun passes in front of the other, and seasonal shifts could happen at a faster pace.
The iconic Star Wars line, "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away," now mirrors reality. Scientists have identified planets circling two or more suns, creating daily double-sunset spectacles reminiscent of those on Luke Skywalker's fictional home, Tatooine.
The identification of circumbinary planets — celestial bodies orbiting two stars — has led scientists to imagine how Earth would fare under dual suns. Interestingly, some propose that our solar system already hosts a second star, a smaller dwarf named Nemesis, alongside our primary sun. However, this theory remains controversial and lacks broad acceptance [source: Space].
For this exploration, let's assume our solar system lacks a second sun like Nemesis, as its presence would render this discussion unnecessary. Picture yourself relaxing in a lounge chair, sipping sweet tea, and marveling at the idea of enchanting double sunsets — because the reality beyond this idyllic vision is far less appealing.
Kepler-16b, the first confirmed circumbinary planet, is known for its frigid conditions. If Earth had formed around two dimmer stars instead of our single bright sun, our planet would be even colder than 16b's chilling minus 100 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 73 degrees Celsius). All water would freeze, and life as we know it would never have emerged, especially given Earth's greater distance from its hypothetical twin stars compared to 16b's proximity to its stellar pair [source: Wolchover].
Some researchers argue that the concepts of day and night would be drastically altered on a two-sun Earth. Daylight would be significantly brighter with both suns in the sky, while nights would vary depending on the timing of each sun's setting [source: Warren].
Additionally, eclipses could become a frequent occurrence, potentially happening as often as weekly, as one sun passes in front of the other. The Earth's axial tilt relative to the two suns might also cause seasons to shift at a much faster rate [source: Choi].
An Earth with two suns would likely be far less habitable than Tatooine — even without the threat of Sand People. If you're craving the allure of dual suns, your safest option is to revisit the Star Wars saga for another round of intergalactic adventure.
