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Nearby Supernova Causes Mass Extinction?

Posted by michael on from the theoretically-speaking dept.

hcg50a writes "AP has a story on Yahoo about a theory that a blast of gamma rays from a distant supernova destroyed the earth's ozone layer, allowing normally shielded intense UV radiation from the sun to kill life on earth. The second-largest extinction in the Earth's history, the killing of two-thirds of all species, may have been caused by ultraviolet radiation from the sun after gamma rays destroyed the Earth's ozone layer. Astronomers are proposing that a supernova exploded within 10,000 light years of the Earth, destroying the chemistry of the atmosphere and allowing the sun's ultraviolet rays to cook fragile, unprotected life forms."

6 of 71 comments (clear)

  1. Silly Dinosaurs... by JavaLord · · Score: 4, Funny

    They should have been using sun-bloc SPF-10,000,000

  2. Of course by aridhol · · Score: 2, Funny

    A supernova that's really nearby (such as our own sun) could put a huge damper on things, as far as life is concerned.

    --
    I can't say that I don't give a fuck. I've just run out of fuck to give.
  3. Our aversion to going outside... by NanoGator · · Score: 3, Funny

    ... has saved us!

    --
    "Derp de derp."
  4. I remain unconvinced by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I'm sorry, I can't lend my reputation to this theory.

  5. Where's the Ka-Boom!?!? by damien_kane · · Score: 3, Funny

    There was supposed to be an earth-shattering Ka-Boom!!!

  6. Re:the next big one primed & feisty by Kris_J · · Score: 2, Funny

    God, no, not my hard disk. That's where I keep all my stuff.