Is gamma-ray burst kill life on Earth? – Interia

450 million years ago have disappeared from the face of the earth as much as 60 percent. species. Now scientists have confirmed that it was responsible for a powerful gamma-ray burst. In the future, a similar phenomenon may happen again.

gamma-ray bursts are the most powerful phenomena in the universe

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Until now, it was thought that the cause of mass extinction was the start of the Ordovician ice age. Now we know that this process began gamma-ray burst, which not only greatly wychłodził Earth, but also worsened living conditions of animals, impairing the Earth’s atmosphere.

gamma-ray bursts is still one of the most mysterious phenomena in the universe. Astronomers know that there are, observe and measure them, but do not fully understand their nature. One hypothesis that gamma-ray bursts are the result of collisions of neutron stars or black holes. Another suggests that the powerful gamma-ray emissions are a consequence of the transformation of supermassive stars in a black hole.

gamma-ray bursts in the past adversely affect our planet, and the same may be in the future. Astronomers have set up the distance that is needed to gamma-ray burst destroyed all organisms on Earth. Such a phenomenon would be dangerous if the source is away from the planet by a distance less than 6000 years light.

gamma-ray bursts can destroy the ozone layer by dislocation generation of free oxygen and nitrous oxide, ozone kills the connection. As a result, the strongest UV radiation can reach the surface of the planet. This will ensure that eventually burst all food chains, will be the destruction of all living things on the surface and up to 2 m into the ocean (eg. Plankton). This will lead to the extinction of living organisms on a large scale.

We do not know when it might happen again gamma-ray burst. This type of phenomenon is not common. It comes to them more than once in 100 million years. In the past, our planet has experienced the effects of gamma-ray burst at least a few times, but after millions of years, all residues eventually blurred flares. Scientists are looking for the isotope iron-60, which is considered as a possible indirect evidence of gamma radiation.