Stars are exploding in the Milky Way. It is logical to assume that this affects earthly life, because our planet
What is a supernova?
Supernovas are an explosion of stars, the largestexplosions that occur in space. They can often be seen in other galaxies. But supernovae are difficult to observe in our Milky Way galaxy because dust obscures the view. In 1604, Johannes Kepler discovered the last observable supernova in the Milky Way.
Supernovae occur when the core or center of a star changes. There are two types of supernovae depending on these processes.
The first type occurs in binary starssystems. Binary stars are two stars revolving around the same point. One of the stars, a carbon-oxygen white dwarf, steals matter from its companion. Eventually, the white dwarf accumulates too much matter. The excess matter causes the star to explode, resulting in a supernova.
The second type of supernova occurs at the endlife of a single star. When it runs out of nuclear fuel, part of the mass goes into the core. As a result, the core becomes so heavy that it cannot resist its own gravitational force. The core collapses, resulting in a giant supernova explosion. The Sun is a single star, but it doesn't have enough mass to go supernova. Most likely, it will become a red giant.
How has life on earth changed?
Numerous studies of chroniclesfossils have shown that the diversity of life forms has changed significantly over geological time. A fundamental question in evolutionary biology is which processes are responsible for those processes.
A new study has a big surprise:The varying numbers of nearby exploding stars (supernovae) are closely related to changes in the biodiversity of marine species over the last 500 million years.
Why do supernovae affect life?
A possible explanation for the connection between supernovae and diversity is that exploding stars affect Earth's climate, scientists say.
A large number of supernovae leads tothat the planet is getting colder, and the temperature difference between the equator and the polar regions is becoming more obvious. This leads to stronger winds, mixing of ocean waters and the transfer of life-essential nutrients to surface waters along the continental shelf.
Overall, scientists have concluded that supernovae are vital to primary bioproductivity by influencing the transport of nutrients.
Green Absorbable Conversion Efficiencyplants solar energy in the energy of chemical bonds of organic substances is on average 1%. This pattern is called the “1% rule.” All primary production created by producers as a result of photosynthesis is called gross primary production (GPP).
Gross primary bioproductivity providesenergy for ecological systems, and it is assumed that changes in them can affect biodiversity. The new results are consistent with this hypothesis.
Why is this happening?
When heavy stars explode, they producecosmic rays, which are elementary particles with enormous energy. They then reach the solar system, where some end their journey, encountering the Earth's atmosphere. Previous studies (first, second, third) by Henrik Svensmark and his colleagues (authors of the new work) show that they become the main source of ions, helping to form and grow the aerosols necessary for cloud formation.
Because clouds can regulate the sun'senergy reaching the Earth's surface, the aerosol cloud of cosmic rays affects the climate. Evidence shows significant climate shifts, with cosmic ray intensity varying by several hundred percent over millions of years.
When will the next supernova explode?
The next one is supposed to explodeBetelgeuse is one of the brightest stars to observe from Earth, which is located in the Milky Way. The mass of Betelgeuse is equivalent to 11 to 19 solar masses and, if it were in our solar system, it would occupy a place up to the orbit of Jupiter. The distance to the star is from 500 to 630 light years from Earth. Betelgeuse is also much older than the Sun.
According to various estimates, it can explode throughseveral tens or hundreds of thousands of years. In general, there are two scenarios for the development of events: either it will explode under the influence of its own gravity, becoming a type II supernova, or, possibly, it will turn into a black hole, due to a gravitational collapse, which will not be accompanied by such a bright flash as a supernova explosion.
Such an outbreak does not pose a threat to lifeon Earth. In addition, it is located too far away for its X-ray and ultraviolet radiation to have a significant impact on the Earth. The star material ejected from the explosion will take 6 million years to reach the Solar System.
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