What would Earth be like if...?

Question

We had 2 sons like the one we do now. both were perfectly positioned so that there would no night time on either side of Earth. What would end happening to people, Animals, and Plant Life?

Answer 1

Very interesting concept. Simple solar radiation effects would double, and the evolutionary process would have taken on a whole new direction. Aside from the micro-organismic effects, the impact would include nocturnal abilities being de-selected for except in highly specialized, subterrainian species (I think there would be a greater number of burrowing creatures about). Temperature variations would also fluctuate, causing a huge change in thermal selectivity. It would not be the same world as you now know it.

Answer 2

There are 2 clear ways an answerer can interpret this question.

1) The Earth, at the time of it's formation, had 2 suns instead of 1. What would Earth be like NOW in that scenario. This theory has been thoroughly explored by other answerers before me.

2) The Earth, till NOW, had 1 sun. Then a rogue star entered our solar system and began to orbit our sun in such perfect symmetry to Earth's revolutionary rate that relative to Earth the rouge star was synchronised to be permanently in the shadow of Earth between the 2 suns.
This theory has not yet been explored here, in this question, however a fantastic film was created along similar lines involving a planet with 3 suns. I believe it was named "Pitch Black" due to the very rare, completely dark nights.

Earth would experience the occasional, momentary eclipse from other planets moving between Earth and one of the suns, but otherwise it would almost constantly be bright. However, Due to the mass of a star, it would need to be considerably far away to establish and maintain a perfect orbit around our sun, so I do not believe it would be uninhabitable. Perhaps between 30 and 60 degrees celcius (86 to 140 degrees fahrenheit) all the time.

Most plants and animals would die of dehydration within a year, and we would deduce that the recycling of waste water would be a minimum requirement for survival.

Food production would be a bigger problem, with all Earth residents becoming vegan or face death. Synthesized foods and vitamins would become very popular, as the planet slowly cooks.

Weather disasters would cycle out of control with continent size storms, and there would be no seasons or reprieves. The most populated continent would be Antarctica by far, with Australia, Europe, Northern Russia and Canada being for the poor, weak, disabled, or otherwise discriminated peoples. The Equatorial (from Cancer to Capricorn) regions would be for indiginous, VERY dark skinned people, and for the the extremely rich who choose to live subterrainian like a king of poorpers.

Governments would crumble, with anarchy and totalitarian regimes reigning everywhere except a few areas where people choose to cooperate.

There would be an abundance of potential for capturing UV light for the creation of photovoltaic energy (electricity) which means more power for running the machines that would be required to sustain life, and the majority of power would be generated by panels in equatorial regions operated and maintained by the few rich individuals who live there.

Space travel and residency would become very popular, with the population quickly exceeding the population of Earth and beyond. Exploration for a new home for humans would result, with many never being heard from again or returning to report that they found nothing.

Eventually one would be found, and the majority would move there to live ...
(say it with me)
HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

Answer 3

Living things would not be able to rest properly. Some things would get too hot and die. We would have more desert land and less tropics. Many living things would become extinct. Life would be very different on earth. It would not be a good thing to have a sun continuously on both sides of the earth.

Answer 4

Ther would be no ice age, and as a result, humanity would not evolve as a result of ev no evolutionary pressure. Also, animals in general would not exist because it would be very hot on earth's surface. Interestingly enough, the earth would also not exist because of the strong gravitational pull between the two suns will result in a crash between the two stars, leading to an explosion 10000000000000000 times as big as the atomic bomb.

Answer 5

The premise gives room for much interpretation. If two suns existed from the evolution of the solar system, we probably wouldn't exist due to the increased radiation and heat. Earth would most likely resemble Venus as it is today.

Answer 6

Well if there was two suns i imagine underground spa's and resorts would become very popular, also two suns means less night time however underground living would provide the much needed darkness.

Answer 7

We should learn to sleep during day. Will not be a problem for many office-goers (just a joke- for those using their office time for yahoo answers). What about others?
VR

Answer 8

well.the radiation from the sun will kill us(:, but i believe this will never happen, and i dont think you wanna sleep in the "day". And you will never know the time and how many hours there are in a day, or how may hours in a year.

Answer 9

The planet would be too hot for most life forms. There would be no cooling off period.

Answer 10

we'd all have probably adapted to sleep even in daylight....plants would have adapted to do photosynthesis and breathing at the same time...we'd all have bought more suntan lotion!!