publication . Part of book or chapter of book . Preprint . 2016

Mass Extinctions and Supernova Explosions

Name: Mass Extinctions and Supernova Explosions
Creator: Gunther Korschinek
Keywords: Astrophysics - Earth and Planetary Astrophysics

Gunther Korschinek;

Open Access

Published: 09 Sep 2016

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Summary

Abstract

A nearby supernova (SN) explosion could have negatively influenced life on Earth, maybe even been responsible for mass extinctions. Mass extinction poses a significant extinction of numerous species on Earth, as recorded in the paleontologic, paleoclimatic, and geological record of our planet. Depending on the distance between the Sun and the SN, different types of threats have to be considered, such as ozone depletion on Earth, causing increased exposure to the Sun's ultraviolet radiation, or the direct exposure of lethal x-rays. Another indirect effect is cloud formation, induced by cosmic rays in the atmosphere which result in a drop in the Earth's temperatur...

doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-21846-5_22

Subjects

arXiv: Astrophysics::High Energy Astrophysical PhenomenaPhysics::GeophysicsAstrophysics::Earth and Planetary AstrophysicsPhysics::Space PhysicsAstrophysics::Galaxy Astrophysics

free text keywords: Astrophysics - Earth and Planetary Astrophysics, Astronomy, Planet, Ozone depletion, Atmosphere, Extinction, Supernova, Extinction event, Cosmic ray, Gamma-ray burst, Physics

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