Gamma Ray Burst by MagikUnicorn
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Description
Gamma Ray Burst
HOW DEADLY WOULD A NEARBY GAMMA RAY BURST BE?
Despite the obvious doom and gloom associated with mass extinctions, they have a tendency to capture our imagination. After all, the sudden demise of the dinosaurs, presumably due to an asteroid strike, is quite an enthralling story.
But not all mass extinctions are quite as dramatic and not all have an easily identified culprit. The Ordovician extinction — one of the “big five” in Earth’s history — occurred around 450 million years ago when the population of marine species plummeted. Evidence suggests that this occurred during an ice age and a gamma ray burst is one of several possible mechanisms that may have triggered this extinction event.
Gamma ray bursts (GRBs) are the brightest electromagnetic blasts known to occur in the Universe, and can originate from the collapse of the most massive types of stars or from the collision of two neutron stars. Supernovae are stellar explosions that also can send harmful radiation hurtling towards Earth. Both GRBs and supernovae are usually observed in distant galaxies, but can pose a threat if they occur closer to home, where they can strip the Earth’s upper atmosphere of its protective ozone layer leaving life exposed to harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.
A new paper, titled “Ground-Level Ozone Following Astrophysical Ionizing Radiation Events – An Additional Biological Hazard?” published in the journal Astrobiology took a look at the ramifications of a nearby GRB or supernova and the effects on life. The research was funded by the Exobiology and Evolutionary Biology element of the NASA Astrobiology Program.
Comments (15)
thekingtut
Double duty post. A great image and a science lesson.
eekdog
I like how this came out, gr8 info.
miwi
DukeNukem2005
It is very nice!
Cal83street
I just saw a show on this not to long ago on the SCi Ch. Great image and the way you have it looking like a post card.
QuietRiot
You always present such info with your art.
Faemike55
and yet another wonderful and informative render by you. Love it when you post stuff like this -
Richardphotos
the origination of the Green Lantern? well done
VEDES
Excellent done!!!!!!!!!!!!
BryceHoro
Interesting comment and nicely depicted.
jendellas
Great info & image.
blankfrancine
Truly cosmic art!
RodS
Great art and fascinating information, Real! I think we're in greater danger from our own species than we are from a GRB, though.
TK0920
Ah, that which ends life also begins it, for it may likely be these very neutron star collisions and supernovae explosions that gave gave rise to our Earth to begin with. Beautiful design to depict your information, very well done and enjoyable!! :)
GrandmaT
Beautiful image of a possibly deadly event. Fabulous job!