Effects on Earth[edit]
On average, a
supernova explosion occurs within 10 parsecs (33 light-years) of the Earth every 240 million years.
[a] Gamma rays are responsible for most of the adverse effects that a supernova can have on a living
terrestrial planet. In Earth's case, gamma rays induce
radiolysis of diatomic N2 and O2 in the upper
atmosphere, converting molecular
nitrogen and
oxygen into
nitrogen oxides, depleting the
ozone layer enough to expose the surface to harmful
solar and
cosmic radiation (mainly ultra-violet).
Phytoplankton and
reef communities would be particularly affected, which could severely deplete the base of the marine food chain.
[4][5]
Odenwald
[6] discusses the possible effects of a
Betelgeuse supernova on the Earth and on human space travel, especially the effects of the stream of charged particles that would reach the Earth about 100,000 years later than the initial light and other electromagnetic radiation produced by the explosion.
