
What would we see, and how would Earth be affected, if Sirius, the brightest star in our night sky, were to go supernova? Would it be over in a blink or a decade? And would it be visible in daylight?
Jan De Wilde,
Advertisement
Ghent, Belgium

Why, when I first step into a hot shower, do I get a brief shiver down my back?
Brian Forty,
via email
To answer this question – or ask a new one – email lastword@newscientist.com.
Questions should be scientific enquiries about everyday phenomena, and both questions and answers should be concise. We reserve the right to edit items for clarity and style. Please include a postal address, daytime telephone number and email address.
¿ìè¶ÌÊÓÆµ retains total editorial control over the published content and reserves all rights to reuse question and answer material that has been submitted by readers in any medium or in any format.