New research reveals that supernovae can pose an additional, previously unidentified threat to nearby planets. This involves intense X-rays, generated when a supernova’s blast wave hits dense surrounding gas, potentially damaging planets' atmospheres up to 160 light-years away and possibly leading t
A new study has examined the possible impact X-rays could have on planets within a certain distance of supernova explosions. Data from Chandra and other telescopes suggest that planets within about 160 light-years could be subjected to an intense wave of X-rays, which may significantly damage their atmospheres.
Earth is not in danger of such a threat today because there are no potential supernova progenitors within this distance, but it may have experienced this kind of X-ray exposure in the past. The calculations in this latest study are based on X-ray observations of 31 supernovae and their aftermath mostly obtained from Chandra, NASA’s Swift andmissions, and ESA’s XMM-Newton. The analysis of these observations shows that there can be lethal consequences from supernovae interacting with their surroundings, for planets located as much as about 160 light-years away.
“The Earth is not in any danger from an event like this now, because there are no potential supernovae within the X-ray danger zone,” said co-author Connor O’Mahoney, also of the University of Illinois. “However, it may be the case that such events played a role in Earth’s past.”
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