Title: “Scientists Warn of Rare Neutron Star Collisions Threatening Life on Earth”
Scientists from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have conducted a groundbreaking study on the potential effects of neutron star collisions, called kilonova explosions, on life on Earth. These catastrophic events involve the merging of two neutron stars, resulting in short bursts of gamma radiation and powerful X-rays. Researchers estimate that there are only about 10 neutron star binaries in the entire Milky Way galaxy that are destined for such a collision.
While only a few kilonova explosions have been detected thus far, none have occurred in our own galaxy. However, the researchers’ findings indicate that if a kilonova explosion were to happen in the Milky Way, the main danger would come from cosmic rays, particularly if Earth were in the path of the associated gamma-ray burst, up to a distance of 35 light-years.
The study highlights that any living thing within the range of the jet, extending up to 297 light-years, is highly likely to be affected by the powerful gamma radiation emitted during this event. It is within a proximity of about 16 light-years that the X-radiation from the afterglow becomes significantly harmful.
Moreover, the research emphasizes the long-term threat posed by the bubble of cosmic rays, which could strip Earth’s ozone layer and expose it to radiation for thousands of years, potentially causing a mass extinction event. Understanding these risks helps scientists assess the possibility of life surviving on planets in close proximity to these devastating star-shattering events.
Notably, these mergers and their specific range of lethality are still considered rare and unlikely to pose an immediate threat to life on Earth. However, should a kilonova event occur nearby, it would be visible and could disrupt technology soon after the merger, remaining bright in the sky for over a month.
The team’s analysis and findings have been made available to the scientific community on the preprint server arXiv, allowing experts to further investigate and evaluate the potential impact of neutron star collisions on Earth. This research serves as a crucial reminder of the awe-inspiring yet potentially hazardous phenomena occurring within our galaxy and its implications for life beyond our planet.
