Science

Scientists have discovered a new threat to life on Earth 

NASA's Chandra space telescope has discovered supernovae capable of causing mass extinctions on nearby planets. 

A study recently published in The Astrophysical Journal by Ian Brunton, Connor O'Mahony and Brian Fields (University of Illinois), Adrian Melott (University of Kansas) and Brian Thomas (Washburn University of Kansas) has identified a new threat to Earth-like planets from space. "New Science" writes about it. 

The authors of the study have discovered a new threat to life on planets like our planet. Stellar explosions can affect planets more than a hundred light-years away from such events.

The new threat is that the shock wave breaks through the dense gas surrounding the exploding star. As expected, such intense radiation could be followed by the mass extinction of nearby planets.

The study in question was based on X-ray observations of thirty-one supernovae. Their analysis showed that even planets about 160 light years away could be exposed to a lethal dose of radiation.