A visualisation of the Radcliffe wave, a series of dust and gas clouds (marked here in red) across the Milky Way. It is about 400 light years from our sun, marked in yellow
Alyssa A. Goodman/Harvard University
14 million years ago, our solar system journeyed through a vast wave of gas and dust, obstructing Earth’s view of the night sky and potentially influencing our planet’s geological composition. The Radcliffe wave, a colossal feature in the Milky Way stretching nearly 9000 light years in width and located just 400 light years from our sun, has been a focal point of astronomical study.
Recent research led by Efrem Maconi from the University of Vienna utilized data from the Gaia space telescope to analyze the movement of stars within the Radcliffe wave, pinpointing its previous proximity to our solar system between 11 million and 18 million years ago. By studying the orbits of newly formed star clusters and associated dust and gas clouds, the team determined that the wave intersected with our solar system approximately 14 million years ago.
This cosmic encounter would have shrouded Earth in a denser region of interstellar space, dimming the light from distant stars akin to a foggy day. Maconi speculates that this event may have left traces in Earth’s geological history, potentially depositing radioactive isotopes in the planet’s crust. The correlation between the wave’s passage and Earth’s cooling phase during the Middle Miocene epoch raises intriguing questions about possible connections between galactic phenomena and terrestrial climate shifts.
While the exact impact of the Radcliffe wave on Earth remains speculative, Maconi’s findings shed light on the dynamic interactions between our planet and the broader cosmic environment. Understanding these past cosmic events provides valuable insights into Earth’s geological evolution and its relationship with the surrounding universe.
For more information, you can visit Efrem Maconi’s profile and Dr. Ralph Schoenrich’s profile for additional insights on this fascinating astronomical discovery.
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