Scientists say a supernova explosion close to Earth could be to blame for two extinction events. The post Supernova study suggests space blasts wiped out ancient life on Earth appeared first on Talker.

At least two mass extinction events in Earth's history were likely caused by the "devastating" effects of nearby supernova explosions, a new study suggests.

Most people know the theory that an asteroid smashed into Earth — hitting what is now the Yucatán Peninsula — and killed off many of the dinosaurs about 66 million years ago. But that was not the only mass extinction for the planet — just the most well-known.

Exploding stars in near-solar space may have triggered at least two mass extinction events in Earth’s history. A new study led by astrophysicist Alexis Quintana from the University of Alicante suggests that supernovae—the violent deaths of massive stars—could be responsible for the Late Ordovician and Late Devonian extinction events.