Scientists from the University of Kansas have found that supernovae, which can erupt within 40-50 light-years from Earth, will lead to a mass extinction on the planet. This was announced in a press release posted on Phys.org.
Supernovae occur when stars sharply increase their brightness - hundreds of thousands or millions of times. Typically, this phenomenon occurs in the final stage of a star's life, when it explodes, forming a neutron star or black hole. At the same time, a huge amount of high-energy radiation is released, which can travel hundreds of light years and affect living organisms on Earth.
According to astrophysicists, cosmic rays from supernovae can lead to mass extinction. However, their intensity is influenced by several factors: the distance to the exploding star and interstellar magnetic fields. If the radiation propagates along the lines of force of the latter, then its strength changes little. However, the Solar System is located in the Local Bubble - a region of space where there is almost no magnetic field.
Scientists estimate that for a supernova to have little effect on the Earth's biosphere, it must be about 150 light years away. A serious impact on the planet's climate and living organisms (the incidence of cancer in humans and animals will increase) is possible if this distance is one third less.
The nearest future supernova is Betelgeuse in the constellation Orion. It is 600 light years distant from Earth.