Our celestial origins

Mon 16th Jul, 2012

Life on earth may have benefited from the explosion of massive stars, according to Danish physicist Dr. Henrik Svensmark of the Technical University of Denmark.

When massive stars reach the end of their lives they explode as supernovae and in the process release vast amounts high-energy charged particles known as galactic cosmic rays (GCR). If a supernova is close enough to earth these GCR may reach and have a direct impact on the atmosphere of the Earth.

Dr. Svensmark conducted analyses that looked back through 500 million years of geological and astronomical data to determine the rate at which these explosions occurred and whether they were related to life on earth. His findings show that whenever there was a high chance for galactic cosmic rays to reach the earth, life thrived. "The biosphere seems to contain a reflection of the sky, in that the evolution of life mirrors the evolution of a galaxy," said Dr. Svensmark in a statement to the press.

Original Article:
"Evidence of nearby supernovae affecting life on Earth" (DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2012.20953.x)


Innovative Sodium Fuel Cell Offers New Hope for Electric Aviation

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a sodium-based fuel cell that could serve as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries and hydrogen fuel cells. This...

New Scientific Principle Suggests Increasing Complexity in the Universe

In a groundbreaking development, a team of interdisciplinary researchers has proposed a new scientific principle suggesting that the complexity of entities within the universe is destined to increase...

Neuroscience Breakthrough: How the Brain Processes Ambiguous Information

Recent research from neuroscientists at MIT has unveiled how the brain interprets ambiguous information while navigating familiar spaces. The study, which focuses on the retrosplenial cortex (RSC),...

Repurposed Smartphones Transform into Eco-Friendly Data Centers

In a groundbreaking initiative, researchers at the University of Tartu have devised a method to repurpose discarded smartphones, transforming them into mini data centers that monitor environmental...

Researchers Create World's Smallest Violin Using Nanotechnology

In a remarkable technological achievement, researchers in the UK have developed the world's smallest violin, measuring just 35 micrometers in length and 13 micrometers in width. This miniature...

Future of Thirty Meter Telescope Uncertain as Funding Withdrawn

The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), intended to be the largest optical telescope in the Northern Hemisphere, faces an uncertain future as the National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced it will no...

More Quick Read Articles »
German PKV Insurance

German Private Health Insurance

Health Insurance in Germany is compulsory and sometimes complicated, not to mention expensive. As an expat, you are required to navigate this landscape within weeks of arriving, so check our FAQ on PKV. For our guide on resources and access to agents who can give you a competitive quote, try our PKV Cost comparison tool.

Hospitals

Hospital and Clinic Directory

Germany is famous for its medical expertise and extensive number of hospitals and clinics. See this comprehensive directory of hospitals and clinics across the country, complete with links to their websites, addresses, contact info, and specializations/services.

Events

Upcoming Events

Claus von Wagner

What do you get when you blend the tradition of American stand-up comedy with themes that are anything but funny? Pair that with a captivating performer and author like Claus von Wagner, and you're guaranteed a fantastic evening. Projekt Equilibrium is his latest program, which explores the quest...