New Risk to Earth Found in Supernova Explosions

Oh brother.

Heres the "New Risk" --

"In a paper about to be published in the journal Astrobiology, Thomas explains that even short exposures to blue light can increase insomnia, reduce resistance to infection and is being studied as a possible risk of cancer."

Give me a break.

Funny. On the news tonight I heard that we ought to be going out in the sun to avoid getting cancer. I didn't hear the whole article, but listen again on BBC Radio 4 PM will hold the answers.

Take care out there...

It's got to do with possible tumor suppression of vitamin D. Makes sense that the body would develop an antidote to the damaging effects of sunshine from a process involving that same sunshine.

<....and scientists think....>

Do they? Do they really think?

The media have given the impression that scientists have found a negative spin on virtually everything in society these days. "Everything is bad for you".

So who's dropping dead, then?

I agree. Usually when you read a headline that makes you roll your eyes regarding science, its because some reporter with no technical background has dumbed it down for the public, except in the process has completely lost the point of the research.

Agreed!!! Is this deja vu in case the media cant get us excited about GW?

PW,

We could reflect now on how fragile we are in relation to the universe. Consider the narrow range of conditions that will support life. The temperature has to be between freezing and a little over 100 degF. Oxygen has to be 20% more or less. We need at least a litre of very clean water per day. Radiation has to be very low. We are basically water balloons. So perhaps "everything is bad for us" is correct.

Eta Carinae is about 8,000 light-years away.

So long as it stays there, that's fine. Phew!

Doesnt that mean we have 8,000 years give or take to address this problem? I doubt mankind will still be here in 8,000 years. Maybe somewhere else (if we dont kill each other off), but not here.

Hi Guest,

No, it doesn't mean that. It might have exploded 7,999 years, 11 months and 29 days ago, so tomorrow you die!

S

Eta Carinae is about 8,000 light-years away.

That is close enough for a Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) to cause a mass extinction on Earth. Any supernova or binary neutron star collision *anywhere in our galaxy* threatens us. GRBs are the most violent phenomenon we know of (other than the Big Bang). Some scientists suggest that a GRB caused the mass extinction that occurred on Earth 450 million years ago.

Well, you folks in the Northern Hemisphere are going to be OK, it appears.

The only way we are going to know if it happens, is when that extra radiation arrives.

Perhaps some of you could consider taking in a few lodgers, during the emergency, which normally lasts for about 10,000 years.

Kind Regards....

Me thinks that the greatest danger would be that of extra debris in the universe. While we can measure the degree of gamma rays we can't predict or see the rocks coming until it's too late?

Ah. The gamma rays haven't arrived yet. And if the rocks have less than infinite mass then they'll be a long way behind them (ask 'Jorrie').

Hey, this could be important! Is it worth my while 'topping up' my super fund (pension) or, is retirement not going to happen?

Well done. Some numbers onto the matter in question. Good stuff.

Does this mean that all the women survive? Hum, I'll top up the wife's super fund then. That should fox the tax office!