Biologic effects of supernovae.
Estimates of the probability that nearby explosions of supernovae have occurred during the earth's history and the biologic effects of the radiation therefrom are presented. They suggest that cosmic radiation from supernovae could have caused the extinction of many exposed animals without the simultaneous extinction of plant life. This suggests that supernovae should be considered as one possible mechanism by which fauna become extinct.
D000828:Animal Population Groups / Q000528:radiation effects*; D000818:Animals; D001255:Astrology; D005075:Biological Evolution; D001695:Biology; D003359:Cosmic Radiation; D055593:Geological Phenomena; D005844:Geology; D010933:Plankton / Q000528:radiation effects; D010944:Plants / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011830:Radiation Effects; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental