If GRB-221009A had been in Milky Way, would we have been fried?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on GRB-221009A, a gamma-ray burst that occurred 1.9 billion years ago, emphasizing that if it had happened in the Milky Way, its effects would have been catastrophic. Participants noted that humanity, as we know it, would not exist, as life forms at that time were primarily cyanobacteria. The conversation also referenced a mass extinction event around 2 billion years ago that eliminated up to 99.5% of life on Earth, underscoring the historical impact of such cosmic events.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs)
  • Knowledge of Earth's biological history, particularly the role of cyanobacteria
  • Familiarity with mass extinction events and their causes
  • Basic concepts of astrophysics related to cosmic events
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the effects of gamma-ray bursts on planetary atmospheres
  • Study the role of cyanobacteria in Earth's early ecosystems
  • Explore the timeline and causes of mass extinction events
  • Learn about the detection and analysis of gamma-ray bursts
USEFUL FOR

Astrophysicists, biologists, historians of Earth’s life forms, and anyone interested in the implications of cosmic events on biological evolution.

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