Supernovae may have changed our climate, and it could happen again

Located in the solar system, planet Earth is subject to numerous phenomena originating from our galaxy, but also from deep space. It would appear that supernovae have altered the climate on Earth and that this could happen again in the future. 

First, it is important to understand that a supernova is a gigantic explosion of stars, if not the largest ever discovered, capable of releasing a phenomenal amount of energy. Of course, nothing can stop this energy in space, which causes it to travel for a very long time and over very long distances. It is capable of reaching planets and stars sometimes located several thousand light-years away, which clearly demonstrates the scale of this phenomenon. 

Recently, researcher Robert Brakenridge published a study in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. In it, he successfully established a link between supernovae and past climate change on Earth using a model that shows how these powerful rays can affect the Earth's ozone layer and atmospheric methane. 

To do this, he relied on the growth rings found in trees. Brakenridge was able to identify 11 peaks of radioactive carbon over 15,000 years, which correspond to known supernovae.

When it comes to how these explosions can impact the Earth's climate, it is important to understand that the energy released during this phenomenon is colossal. When it reaches our planet, it can alter its chemical composition by weakening the ozone layer and reducing methane concentrations. This can cause global cooling on Earth, but also increase the amount of UV radiation reaching us. Some studies highlight major risks to biodiversity and a significant increase in fires.

It should be noted that the star Betelgeuse could explode into a supernova at any moment due to significant variations in light. If this were to happen, scientists could study the consequences on our climate. However, we will have to be patient, because if it were to explode today, we would not see it for another 300 years, which is how long it would take for its light to reach us.