Mass extinctions have often been linked to asteroid impact or increased volcanism but another cause has recently emerged- cosmic rays. These high energy particles constantly bombard the earth and are believed to have played a part in the evolution of life on our planet. A large number of species can be wiped out either indirectly or directly by increased radiations from a supernova going off as far as 30 light years away although extensive research on the subject is still going on.
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