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Nearby Supernovae Likely Triggered Two Ancient Mass Extinctions

Exploding stars, or supernovas, may have caused mass extinctions that eliminated up to 85% of Earth's animal species, according to a study published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Dr. Alexis Quintana, leading the research, suggests supernovas could strip the ozone layer, exposing the planet to harmful ultraviolet radiation.
The research team highlighted that supernovas within the Milky Way could align with historical mass extinction events, including the late Devonian extinction, which occurred 372 million years ago.
Dr. Nick Wright stated that supernova explosions are some of the most energetic explosions in the Universe, emphasizing the destructive potential of nearby supernovas.

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Metro News

Supernovas may have caused mass extinctions that killed 85% of life on Earth

Supernovas are the most powerful explosions humans have ever seen – but just how close are we? (Picture: NASA Goddard / SWNS) Exploding stars known as supernovas may have sparked mass extinctions that wiped out up to 85% of animals on Earth. ‘Supernova explosions are some of the most energetic explosions in the Universe’, said Dr Nick Wright, an astrophysics lecturer at Keels University. ‘If a massive star were to explode as a supernova close to…

18 hours ago·London, United Kingdom

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InsideNoVA.com

+10 Reposted by 10 other sources

Supernova study suggests space blasts wiped out ancient life on Earth

Scientists say a supernova explosion close to Earth could be to blame for two extinction events.

1 day ago

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Phys.org

Violent supernovae 'triggered at least two Earth extinctions,' study suggests

At least two mass extinction events in Earth's history were likely caused by the "devastating" effects of nearby supernova explosions, a new study suggests.

1 day ago·United Kingdom

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De Telegraaf

Study: Animals Made Extinct by Exploding Stars

The mass extinction of prehistoric animals may have been caused by the explosion of stars near the Earth. This is the conclusion of an international group of researchers after calculations. According to them, the supernovae removed ozone from the atmosphere, causing acid rain and exposing life on Earth to harmful radiation from the sun.

1 day ago·Amsterdam, Netherlands

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Eurek Alert

Violent supernovae 'triggered at least two Earth extinctions'

At least two mass extinction events in Earth's history were likely caused by the "devastating" effects of nearby supernova explosions, a new study suggests. Researchers at Keele University say these super-powerful blasts – caused by the death of a massive star – may have previously stripped our planet's atmosphere of its ozone, sparked acid rain and exposed life to harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. They believe a supernova explosion cl…

2 days ago·Washington, United States

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