Monday, January 21, 2013

Giant Gamma Ray Burst...

In 774 or 775 AD.  Researchers figured this out by examining some ancient cedar trees in Japan.  A new theory is that colliding black holes in the Milky Way galaxy caused it.

What interests me most are the effects of this irradiation on life.  Did the number of radiation-induced mutations jump?  Did this irradiation have any observable consequences?  I've read of several studies that are underway trying to figure this out, but it will be tough – in general, one can't determine what caused a mutation.  Probably the closest anyone will come to actual proof is if they can demonstrate that a statistically significant increase in the number of mutations occurred at the time of this large radiation dose...

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