Can A Nearby Gamma-Ray Burst Or Supernovae Destroy The Earth? Know It Here

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the universe's brightest electromagnetic blasts that occur due to the collapse of the most gigantic kinds of stars or when two neutron stars collide. Supernovae are star bursts that can send harmful radiation towards Earth. However, the main question is that do these celestial incidents have any bearing on the existence of our planet by posing as threats? A new study funded by the NASA Astrobiology Program reportedly aims to address the consequences of a nearby GRB or supernova and their implications on life.

The ozone layer present in the upper atmosphere of Earth acts as a shield that protects the surface of our planet from threatening ultraviolet light. However, a supernova or GRB could destroy the ozone layer, subsequently leading to the formation of ground level ozone. The researching team conducting the study is looking at the implications that the ground-level ozone have on life, more specifically would it be a biological threat? To find out the answer, astrophysicist Brian Thomas investigated the severity of the ground level ozone and its impact with the help of an atmospheric model, which simulated the case of a GRB taking place over the South Pole.

"A GRB could happen over any latitude or time but we chose the South Pole mainly to look at a very high depletion case," said Brian Thomas. "When the radiation enters the atmosphere over a pole, the depletion is concentrated there instead of spread around the globe." In plainer terms, the GRB's effect is mostly contained to the atmosphere over a pole because the radiation creates chemical alterations in the middle atmosphere, making the GRB's impact most extreme in this location.

Therefore, as per the scientists, a gamma-ray burst alone will not lead to the type of elevated ground-level ozone is threatening for life to exist. However according to reports, the researchers also added that though a GRB won't destroy life, it would still deplete the upper atmosphere's ozone layer which would allow harmful UV radiation to reach the surface and have a dire consequence on life.