--- title: "A Supernova Blew Out Part of Earth’s Atmosphere, Scientists Say" description: "A powerful gamma ray burst was so powerful, it took a chunk out of the Earth's upper atmosphere last year." date: "2023-11-16" modified: "2023-11-16" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/supernova-blewout-earth-atmosphere" categories: - "Science & Energy" tags: - "gamma ray bursts" - "ozone layer" - "the digest" --- # A Supernova Blew Out Part of Earth’s Atmosphere, Scientists Say ![A powerful gamma ray burst was so powerful, it took a chunk out of the Earth's upper atmosphere last year.]() *\Image: Getty / Futurism\* ## The BOAT It sounds as though in October 2022, humanity may have gotten a little taste of a cosmic disaster of epic proportions. A powerful supernova some 1.9 billion light-years away rocked the universe, sending out a massive burst of gamma rays that buffeted our humble planet. At the time, astronomers [dubbed]() the flareup the "BOAT," which stands for "brightest of all time" in a clear reference to [iconic rap terminology](). It was an exceedingly rare event, with scientists estimating such an event only occurs once in every 10,000 years. Now, scientists have combed through the data and found that the gamma ray burst (GRB) was so powerful that it took a chunk out of the Earth's upper atmosphere, the [*New York Times* reports](). "The ozone was partially depleted — was destroyed temporarily," Pietro Ubertini, an astronomer at the National Institute of Astrophysics in Rome, coauthor of a [new paper]() published in the journal *Nature*, told the newspaper. Fortunately, the ozone layer, a layer of the Earth's stratosphere that shields it from harmful ultraviolet radiation, repaired itself in a matter of minutes, meaning that it was "nothing serious," per Ubertini. But if the supernova that triggered the burst had been any closer, he said, "it would be a catastrophe." ## GRB Bush GRBs are the most powerful types of explosions in the known universe, intense enough to have considerable effects even over vast interstellar distances. Using simulations, scientists have previously [concluded]() that a GRB in our own galaxy could fully wipe out our planet's ozone layer for years, triggering a devastating extinction event. The latest research marks the first time scientists have found evidence that distant supernovas can wipe out electrons in the ionosphere, a part of the Earth's upper atmosphere ranging roughly 50 to 400 miles above the surface, removing the remaining nitrogen molecules' ability to absorb potentially harmful UV radiation from the Sun. Fortunately, the chances of a catastrophic cosmic explosion that could wipe out the ozone layer for prolonged periods of time remain slim. After all, the GRB that rocked the world last year was likely the brightest to occur "since human civilization began," as Eric Burns, an assistant professor of physics and astronomy at Louisiana State University, explained in a [March press release](). But being better informed about rare cosmic threats is clearly prudent — just look at the [broad public support]() for preventative measures against a killer asteroid. **More on gamma ray bursts:** *[Neutron Star Collision Unleashes Explosion One Million Times Brighter Than Our Galaxy]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()