Radiation from an ancient supernova may have influenced the evolution of life on Earth, according to a new study.
The study suggests a possible link between the rapid explosion in diversity of viruses infecting fish in Africa's Lake Tanganyika and cosmic rays from the supernova.
Lake Tanganyika witnessed a surge in virus diversity at the same time that Earth was impacted by cosmic rays from the ancient supernova.
The researchers found high levels of iron-60 isotope in core samples, indicating presence of supernova debris and supporting the hypothesis.