Enhanced Dangers of Exploded Stars: A New Discovery Reveals Broader Threats to Earth

 A recent study by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, in collaboration with other X-ray telescopes, reveals that exploded stars can pose greater risks to neighboring planets than previously believed. The newfound threat involves a phase of intense X-rays capable of damaging planetary atmospheres up to 160 light-years away.

Currently, Earth is not at risk due to the absence of potential supernova progenitors within this range. However, it may have faced such X-ray exposure in the past.

Prior research on the effects of supernova explosions primarily focused on two hazardous periods: the intense radiation emitted within days and months after the explosion, and the arrival of energetic particles hundreds to thousands of years later. Yet, these known risks do not fully encompass the perils following a star's explosion.

Researchers have uncovered another lurking threat. While supernova aftermaths always generate X-rays, a supernova's blast wave interacting with dense surrounding gas can produce an exceptionally high dose of X-rays. These X-rays arrive months to years post-explosion and may persist for decades.

This groundbreaking study is based on X-ray observations of 31 supernovae and their aftermaths, mainly obtained from Chandra, NASA's Swift and NuSTAR missions, and ESA's (European Space Agency) XMM-Newton. The analysis indicates that lethal consequences from supernovae interacting with their surroundings can extend to planets as far as 160 light-years away.

Source: NASA; The Astrophysical Journal; Chandra Press Release