First Evidence of Supernovae Found In Ice Cores 145
KentuckyFC writes "Supernovae in our part of the Milky Way ought to have a significant impact on the atmosphere. In particular, the intense gamma-ray burst would ionize oxygen and nitrogen in the mid to upper atmosphere, increasing the levels of nitrogen oxide there by an order of magnitude or so. Now a team of Japanese researchers has found the first evidence of a supernova's impact on the atmosphere in an ice core taken from Dome Fuji in Antarctica. The team examined ice that was laid down in the 11th century and found three nitrogen oxide spikes, two of which correspond to well known supernovae: one event in 1006 AD and another in 1054 AD, which was the birth of the Crab Nebula (abstract). Both were widely reported by Chinese and Arabic astronomers at the time. The third spike is unexplained, but the team suggests it may have been caused by a supernova visible only from the southern hemisphere or one that was obscured by interstellar dust."
Supernovae Found In Ice Cores (Score:5, Funny)
Only a matter of time until they find an actual frozen supernova in the ice.
Re:Supernovae Found In Ice Cores (Score:2, Funny)
Point of View (Score:5, Funny)
You decide.
Re:Point of View (Score:5, Funny)
Hmm... "birth of the Crab Nebula" or "death of the Great Crab Civilization"? You decide.
Yet another thing for Dr Zoidberg to be neurotic about.
Re:The Crab Nebula wasn't born in 1054 AD (Score:5, Funny)
That's because it's CORRECT. There's no such thing as 'absolute time'.
1054AD _was_ the time of birth of the Crab Nebula from _our_ point of view.
how do they know? (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Point of View (Score:3, Funny)