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At the moment, no substantial evidence has been gathered to support the claim that a nearby supernova killed the dinosaurs. Scientists are still trying to determine the best method of finding evidence of this, including looking for signs of past gamma ray radiation on the planet's geology and polar ice caps. Consensus among astronomers is that Gamma Rays from a neighborhood supernova (within a few thousand light years) would induce a chemical reaction in the upper atmosphere converting molecular nitrogen into nitrogen oxides, depleting the ozone layer enough to expose the surface to harmful solar and cosmic radiation. This has been proposed as the cause of the Ordovician-Silurian extinction, which resulted in the death of nearly 60% of oceanic life on Earth.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
No, a supernova did not directly kill the dinosaurs. The most widely accepted theory is that dinosaurs were wiped out by an asteroid impact that caused massive climate disturbances, including a nuclear winter-like effect, which led to their extinction. Supernovae are extremely powerful explosions of dying stars that release immense amounts of energy, but there is no evidence linking a supernova event to the extinction of the dinosaurs.
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Why is the sun going to kill us?
Because in about 5 billion years, the sun will die and become a giant or supergiant and become a supernova and since we are close to the sun, the supernova could destroy the planets that are orbiting the sun.
What is the Vela Supernova?
Well a supernova is the explosions or death of a star, so the Vela supernova is probably the supernova of the star vela!
IS a supernova a celestial body?
No, a supernova is an explosion of a star. What left of a supernova are celestial bodies.
Did Yellowstone's caldera kill off the dinosaurs?
No. The oldest of the calderas at Yellowstone formed 2.1 million years ago, more than 63 million years after the extinction of the dinosaurs.
Can supernova be a red giant?
A red giant can become a supernova.
Did a supernova kill the dinosaurs?
Probably not. Current evidence suggests that the dinosaurs were wiped out by an asteroid impact, possibly in combination with an outburst of volcanic activity.
Did the monkeys kill the dinosaurs?
No. Dinosaurs predate monkeys.
What kills dinosaurs?
The dinosaurs died out different way The dinosaur from the late triassic died out by the envirmont changing Dinosaur from the Jurassic died out by a flood Dinosaurs from the cretaceous died out from lava and a comet.
Did Superman kill the dinosaurs?
No.
Did new species kill the dinosaurs?
No one knows what killed the dinosaurs.
Did cosmic radiation kill the dinosaurs?
no
Did dark matter kill the dinosaurs?
no
Did dinosaurs kill woolly mammoths?
No, the dinosaurs died out long before mammoths existed.
Can gorillas kill dinosaurs?
No. The dinosaur would kill the gorilla easily.
How did cavemen kill dinosaurs when they were around?
Humans and dinosaurs were not alive at the same time. Humans came after dinosaurs were already extinct.
Did a caveman kill the dinosaurs by putting francium in a lake?
No. Dinosaurs were long extinct when 'caveman' came on the scene.
Do female dinosaurs kill male dinosaurs?
It depends what dinosaur and if the female was defending her nest etc, etc.
