Biological effects of gamma-ray bursts: distances for severe damage on the biota

Galante, Douglas; Horvath, J. E.

doi:10.1017/s1473550406003545

Cited by 49 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…One should mention that the degree to which Galactic GRBs disrupt ecologies on habitable planets is controversial. Studies of Thorsett (1995), Scalo and Wheeler (2002), Dar and De Rújula (2002), and Galante and Horvath (2007) tend to assign large "lethal zones" to such events, while a recent study of Thomas et al (2008) obtain significantly smaller volumes (and thus astrobiologically less interesting). Without going into details of this debate, two points are worth mentioning here.…”

Section: Catastrophes and Phase Transitionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…In particular, biotic effects of GRBs occurring in our Galaxy have been subject to much investigation since the realization of their cosmological-and hence highly energetic-nature (Thorsett 1995;Scalo and Wheeler 2002;Thomas et al 2005;Galante and Horvath 2007). The number of discovered extra-Solar System planetary systems and their diversity continues to increase (e.g., Jones et al 2006;von Bloh et al 2007).…”

Section: Introduction: Fermi's Paradoxmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Astrobiological Phase Transition: Towards Resolution of Fermi’s Paradox

Ćirković

Vukotić

2008

Orig Life Evol Biosph

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Can astrophysics explain Fermi's paradox or the "Great Silence" problem? If available, such explanation would be advantageous over most of those suggested in literature which rely on unverifiable cultural and/or sociological assumptions. We suggest, instead, a general astrobiological paradigm which might offer a physical and empirically testable paradox resolution. Based on the idea of James Annis, we develop a model of an astrobiological phase transition of the Milky Way, based on the concept of the global regulation mechanism(s). The dominant regulation mechanisms, arguably, are gamma-ray bursts, whose properties and cosmological evolution are becoming well-understood. Secular evolution of regulation mechanisms leads to the brief epoch of phase transition: from an essentially dead place, with pockets of low-complexity life restricted to planetary surfaces, it will, on a short (Fermi-Hart) timescale, become filled with high-complexity life. An observation selection effect explains why we are not, in spite of the very small prior probability, to be surprised at being located in that brief phase of disequilibrium. In addition, we show that, although the phase-transition model may explain the "Great Silence", it is not supportive of the "contact pessimist" position. To the contrary, the phase-transition model offers a rational motivation for continuation and extension of our present-day Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence (SETI) endeavours. Some of the unequivocal and testable predictions of our model include the decrease of extinction risk in the history of terrestrial life, the absence of any traces of Galactic societies significantly older than human society, complete lack of any extragalactic intelligent signals or phenomena, and the presence of ubiquitous low-complexity life in the Milky Way.

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Section: Catastrophes and Phase Transitionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introduction: Fermi's Paradoxmentioning

confidence: 99%

Astrobiological Phase Transition: Towards Resolution of Fermi’s Paradox

Ćirković

Vukotić

2008

Orig Life Evol Biosph

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“…There is no direct experimental data on the effects of this kind of radiation in the planetary context. Theoretical modeling has made predictions concerning the effects of radiation on the Earth's biosphere and revealed the biological importance of UVflashes from GRBs delivered to the surface of the Earth, considering different present and prehistoric atmospheres (Galante and Horvath, 2007;Mart ín et al, 2009Mart ín et al, , 2010Horvath and Galante, 2012).…”

Section: Direct Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radiation as a Constraint for Life in the Universe

Abrevaya

Thomas

2018

Habitability of the Universe Before Earth

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In this chapter, we present an overview of sources of biologically relevant astrophysical radiation and effects of that radiation on organisms and their habitats. We consider both electromagnetic and particle radiation, with an emphasis on ionizing radiation and ultraviolet light, all of which can impact organisms directly as well as indirectly through modifications of their habitats. We review what is known about specific sources, such as supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, and stellar activity, including the radiation produced and likely rates of significant events. We discuss both negative and potential positive impacts on individual organisms and their environments and how radiation in a broad context affects habitability.

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“…At spacecraft altitude, the dose of cosmic radiation averages about 0.2 mGy per day (Goossens et al, 2006), while about 100 Gy is necessary to inactivate 37 % of E. coli (Quint et al, 2002), a bacterium that is very radiation-sensitive compared to bacterial isolates from the HAA (Yang et al, 2009b). Cosmic rays are thought to be much less effective in damaging terrestrial life than UV radiation (Galante and Horvath, 2007).…”

Section: Survival Under Radiation In the Haamentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing Panspermia Hypothesis by Microorganisms Collected from The High Altitude Atmosphere

2009

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Microbiology at the high altitude atmosphere i s i m p o r t a n t f o r a s s e s s i n g t h e c h a n c e s and limits of microbial transfe r from the earth to extraterrestrial bodies. Among the microorganisms isolate d from the highatmospheric samples, spore formers and vegetative Deinococci were highly resistant against harsh environment at high altitude. From limited knowledge available to date, it is suggested that terrestrial microorganisms may have had chances to be ejected and transferred to outer space. Survival of these organisms during their space travel and proliferation on other planets might be also feasible. Directed Panspermia from Earth to extraterrestrial bodies is discussed on the basis of findings reported in literatures. ©2009 Jpn. Soc. Biol. Sci.

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Biological effects of gamma-ray bursts: distances for severe damage on the biota

Cited by 49 publications

References 22 publications

Astrobiological Phase Transition: Towards Resolution of Fermi’s Paradox

Astrobiological Phase Transition: Towards Resolution of Fermi’s Paradox

Radiation as a Constraint for Life in the Universe

Assessing Panspermia Hypothesis by Microorganisms Collected from The High Altitude Atmosphere

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