Produced by: Manoj Kumar
Representative pic
A massive cosmic explosion 6 million years ago may have sent a radiation shockwave to Earth, possibly reshaping evolution itself.
Representative pic
Supernovae produce cosmic rays that break DNA strands, leading to mutations—some harmful, some driving evolutionary leaps.
Representative pic
Scientists found iron-60 isotopes in Lake Tanganyika sediments—proof that a supernova’s debris reached Earth twice in history.
After the first iron-60 deposit, Lake Tanganyika saw a rapid surge in viral diversity, hinting that cosmic radiation played a role.
The explosion traced back to the Scorpius-Centaurus cluster, where dying stars bathed Earth in radiation for 100,000 years.
High-energy radiation can accelerate genetic mutations, raising the question: Did deep-space explosions shape Earth’s biodiversity?
Representative pic
Lead author Caitlyn Nojiri of UC Santa Cruz suggests this is a new way to think about cosmic events shaping life on Earth.
Supernovae might have triggered mutations long before humans evolved—what other hidden forces have shaped life?
Representative pic
If cosmic rays can nudge evolution, then the universe itself may be an unseen player in Earth’s biological history.
Representative pic