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arXiv:astro-ph/9505028astro-ph

Biological Effects of Stellar Collapse Neutrinos

J. I. Collar

Abstract

Massive stars in their final stages of collapse radiate most of their binding energy in the form of MeV neutrinos. The recoil atoms that they produce in elastic scattering off nuclei in organic tissue create radiation damage which is highly effective in the production of irreparable DNA harm, leading to cellular mutation, neoplasia and oncogenesis. Using a conventional model of the galaxy and of the collapse mechanism, the periodicity of nearby stellar collapses and the radiation dose are calculated. The possible contribution of this process to the paleontological record of mass extinctions is examined.

arXiv comments
gzipped PostScript (filename.ps.Z), 12 pages. Final version, Phys. Rev. Lett., in press
Journal reference
Phys.Rev.Lett. 76 (1996) 999-1002
DOI
doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.76.999
Subjects
astro-phAstrophysics

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  1. CNO neutrinos from the Sun are finally detected 1 comment

    • Of course, this has been proposed as a mechanism for killing the dinosaurs. https://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9505028 (obviously in conflict with what you posted, and I haven't run through the numbers. Also, our knowledge of radiation effects on organisms is honestly quite limited).

      cozzydView on HNParent context

  2. Prion disease can spread through air 1 comment

    • Yes, neutrinos are incredibly weakly interacting. However, Type II supernovae dump the vast majority (99%) of their energy into neutrino radiation. Moreover, the extremely high energies of supernova neutrinos (MeV range) increases their interaction cross-section as well as the…

      InclinedPlaneView on HNParent context

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