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Supernova Explosions Changed Earth's Climate and Shaped Humanity's History

The Vela Supernova Remnant is one of the closest supernova remnants to Earth. The supernova is about 900 light-years away and exploded about 11,000 years ago. That's right around the time of the Younger Dryas and scientists wonder if the two are related, and if other supernovae triggered other cooling episodes. Image Credit: By (Credit) ESO/TIMER survey - https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso2214/, CC BY 4.0

Most scientists agree that supernova explosions have affected Earth's climate, though the details are not all clear. They likely cooled the climate several times in the last several thousand years, just as humanity was becoming established around the world. The evidence is in telescopes and tree rings.



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