Impending Kilonova Space Explosion Poses Threat to Earth's Existence
Scientists have determined that a neutron star collision, known as a kilonova, could pose a serious threat to life on Earth if it occurs within approximately 36 light-years of our planet. The collision would release lethal radiation, including gamma rays, cosmic rays, and x-rays, which could decimate the ozone layer and expose Earth to ultraviolet radiation for the next 1,000 years. However, the researchers reassured that kilonovas are rare events, and there are other more common events, such as solar flares and asteroid impacts, that have a higher chance of being harmful.