Recent research from the University of California, Santa Cruz reveals intriguing evidence suggesting that supernovae, the colossal explosions of stars, might have influenced the course of life on Earth. The presence of iron isotope Fe60, a supernova byproduct, has been detected in seafloor sediments from events dating back two to three million and five to six million years ago. This discovery supports the idea that radiation from these stellar phenomena could have reached Earth, potentially causing DNA damage that led to increased mutations and accelerated diversification in species.
The study, published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, explores how the solar system’s movement through different galactic environments exposed Earth to varying levels of cosmic radiation. Researchers focus particularly on how increased radiation from supernovae could result in severe DNA damage like double-strand breaks, capable of affecting genetic material and leading to evolutionary changes.
Moreover, the research team traced Fe60 deposits to a vast region of hot gas in the interstellar medium known as the Local Bubble. This area is believed to have been shaped by multiple supernovae, suggesting that Earth’s path through this zone exposed it to significant levels of cosmic radiation. This exposure may align with periods of notable biological change observable in the fossil record, possibly providing a link between cosmic events and biodiversity on Earth.
While this hypothesis remains speculative, it underscores the potential role of astronomical phenomena in biological evolution on Earth. Further studies are anticipated to delve deeper into how cosmic radiation could have historically impacted life on our planet, presenting an intriguing facet of both biological and cosmic studies.
For a more detailed exploration of this study and its implications, visit the original article on Daily Galaxy.