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Exploding Star May Have Damaged Life on Earth

Posted by Hemos on from the like-the-death-star dept.

Reedo writes "Scientists have proposed that an ancient supernova may have damaged our ozone layer, wreaking havok on terrestrial life. Previously no one had realized that a cluster of stars could have been so close to the earth during that time. But don't worry about it happening again anytime soon. The next expected supernova is nearly 500,000 light-years away and is too far from the earth to cause any damage."

7 of 239 comments (clear)

  1. doh! by flynt · · Score: 4, Funny

    But don't worry about it happening again anytime soon. The next expected supernova is nearly 500,000 light-years away and is too far from the earth to cause any damage."

    Too bad, I was thinking of a way out of doing my math homework tonight.

    1. Re:doh! by prizzznecious · · Score: 5, Funny

      That's not funny. My dog died in a supernova. I miss you Fluffy.

      --

      visit the hwky website for a lyrical genius infusion.
  2. no... by doooras · · Score: 3, Funny

    and i had come to believe it was all because of the anti-time anomaly

  3. That's no star! by albeit+unknown · · Score: 2, Funny

    It's a space station!

  4. Been there, done that by Waffle+Iron · · Score: 3, Funny
    Since most of our bodies' mass is made of elements heavier than helium, we've all been inside at least one supernova explosion. Things have really quieted down around here since those days.

    I don't even want to contemplate how much energy was given off forming the elements I'm made of. Now there's hardly enough energy left over for me to get up and fetch another beer.

  5. Re:500,000 light years away... by ackthpt · · Score: 2, Funny
    "But don't worry about it happening again anytime soon. The next expected supernova is nearly 500,000 light-years away and is too far from the earth to cause any damage."

    Bah! That's what they said LAST TIME!

    Civilizations come and go, usually the come with a purpose, they go with a lack of it.

    --

    A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
  6. Bad, Bad astronomy! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Is this a scolding? Do you send Velokovsky to bed without his dinner?