via @leebillings
http://arxiv.org/abs/1102.2830
"Keywords: radiation, gamma-ray burst, supernova, solar flare, ozone depletion,
extinction, cosmic ray, X-ray.
"Abstract
"Cosmic radiation backgrounds are a constraint on life, and their distribution will affect
the Galactic Habitable Zone. Life on Earth has developed in the context of these
backgrounds, and characterizing event rates will elaborate the important influences.
This in turn can be a base for comparison with other potential life-bearing planets. In
this review we estimate the intensities and rates of occurrence of many kinds of strong
radiation bursts by astrophysical entities ranging from gamma-ray bursts at
cosmological distances to the Sun itself...."
(((Solar descreening events, galactic cosmic rays, pulsars, active galactic nuclei, supernovae, galactic molecular clouds combined with magnetic pole reversals. Great to see so many massive, utter and total catastrophes that mankind can only regard with a cheery fatalism.)))
(((But who knows – if the center of our galaxy is intent on frying us, maybe we'll dust off some climate-crisis geo-engineering and plate the sky with powdered lead. You never know what qualities of character can be revealed by cosmic adversity.)))
