Scientists from Keele University and Universidad de Alicante have made a groundbreaking discovery linking massive star explosions, known as supernovae, to two of Earth’s most devastating mass extinctions. According to the research, these events occurred at a rate of 2.5 per one billion years.
The study found that near-Earth supernova explosions could be responsible for the Late Devonian and Ordovician extinction events, which wiped out around 70% and 60% of species respectively. The researchers believe that if Earth were located closer to these events, the effects would have been catastrophic.
Astronomers conducted a census of massive OB stars within a kiloparsec (around 3,260 light-years) of the Sun, which allowed them to calculate the rate at which supernovae occur within our galaxy. The data suggests that near-Earth supernova explosions are consistent with the timings of both mass extinctions.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Alexis Quintana, stated that “supernova explosions bring heavy chemical elements into the interstellar medium, which are then used to form new stars and planets.” However, if a planet, including Earth, is located too close to these events, it can have devastating effects.
The research team also notes that there are only two nearby stars with a high risk of going supernova within the next million years. Despite this, their study suggests that a massive star explosion could be responsible for some of Earth’s most significant mass extinctions.
Source: https://www.sci.news/astronomy/nearby-supernova-explosions-mass-extinctions-13746.html