I found out today that the Sun doesn't have enough mass to become a supernova. Instead, Google explained, "it will swell to become a red giant, enveloping Mercury, Venus, and possibly Earth. After that, it will shed its outer layers as a planetary nebula, and settle down to become a white dwarf."
If the suns of the universe were people, our sun would be a regular Joe. Working his 9-5 (longer hours in the Summer), eventually retiring, and settling down.
This "retirement" is scheduled to happen in about 5 billion years. I wonder frequently what earth will be like at that time. Will mankind still exist? Will we have found other habitable planets in other solar systems? Will we be living in ecologically-sustainable space pods?
I imagine that the larger suns, who get to become supernovas, are like the celebrities of the universe, or the "stars," if I may. Their deaths are broadcast across the universe - visible for other, smaller suns to witness in awe.
Our sun though, he's just planning on quietly fading out. He didn't shine that bright in life, nor will he in death.
Yet, every day he warms our lives, makes us smile and gives us a reason to keep going outside and living. Not bad for a regular Joe.
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