New Theory Links Biodiversity to the Stars 184
eldavojohn writes "Space.com's Mystery Monday has an article proposing a hypothesis that our solar system's undulations directly affects biodiversity on earth through cosmic-ray exposure. There's data that, through the fossil record, shows us earth's biodiversity peaking again and again until a great cataclysmic period where it is greatly reduced. The theory essentially suggests that this 62 million year cycle can be attributed to how our solar system moves within the milky way galaxy which turns out to be a 64 million year cycle. It's a plausible explanation though very tough to prove, hopefully we don't have to wait around 64 million years to draw a conclusion on this hypothesis."
Re:So when is this doomsday supposed to be? (Score:2, Informative)
If you read TFA, you'll see that this particular extinction does not fit the cycle. This one is blamed on the asteroid.
TFA says we have ~10 million years to go.
Re:So when is this doomsday supposed to be? (Score:2, Informative)
Re:542 Million year chart (Score:3, Informative)
I've been meaning to re-read Heinlein for a while now that I'm older. This looks like the cynical depressing stuff that drew me to Heinlein when I was a kid.
K-T Doesn't Fit (Score:2, Informative)
We've still got at least 10 million years before we enter the next cosmic ray cycle.