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Near-Earth Supernova Explosions: Evidence, Implications, and Opportunities
- Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- There is now solid experimental evidence of at least one supernova explosion within 100 pc of Earth within the last few million years, from measurements of the short-lived isotope 60Fe in widespread deep-ocean samples, as well as in the lunar regolith and cosmic rays. This is the first established example of a specific dated astrophysical event outside the Solar System having a measurable impact on the Earth, offering new probes of stellar evolution, nuclear astrophysics, the astrophysics of the solar neighborhood, cosmic-ray sources and acceleration, multi-messenger astronomy, and astrobiology. Interdisciplinary connections reach broadly to include heliophysics, geology, and evolutionary biology. Objectives for the future include pinning down the nature and location of the established near-Earth supernova explosions, seeking evidence for others, and searching for other short-lived isotopes such as 26Al and 244Pu. The unique information provided by geological and lunar detections of radioactive 60Fe to assess nearby supernova explosions make now a compelling time for the astronomy community to advocate for supporting multi-disciplinary, cross-cutting research programs.<br />Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures. Astro2020 Science White Paper submitted to the 2020 Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics
Details
- Database :
- arXiv
- Publication Type :
- Report
- Accession number :
- edsarx.1903.04589
- Document Type :
- Working Paper