A naukri.com initiative
Knowridge
2d
288
Image Credit: Knowridge
Could exploding stars trigger climate change on Earth? New study says yes
- A new study suggests that exploding stars, known as supernovae, might have triggered sudden climate changes on Earth in the past and could potentially do so again.
- The study by Robert Brakenridge connects supernovae with abrupt shifts in Earth's climate by modeling how radiation from these explosions could impact the atmosphere.
- Supernovae could thin the ozone layer, reduce greenhouse gases, allow more harmful ultraviolet light to reach the surface, and decrease the planet's ability to trap heat, leading to a cooler Earth, more wildfires, and possible extinctions.
- The research analyzes 15,000 years of tree ring data, finding 11 sudden spikes in radioactive carbon that could correspond to known supernovae, indicating a possible link between cosmic events and climate shifts on Earth.
- Solar flares from the sun are also considered as possible causes, but Brakenridge argues for supernovae, suggesting further studies like ice cores and ocean sediments could provide more evidence.
- Understanding this connection is not just about the past but could help prepare for the future, especially with stars like Betelgeuse expected to explode as supernovae in the next 100,000 years, potentially affecting Earth's climate and environment.
- Brakenridge believes that improved models and data could allow scientists to predict how cosmic events might impact life on Earth, highlighting the deep connection between Earth and the stars.
Read Full Article
17 Likes
For uninterrupted reading, download the app