What is the primary catastrophic environmental consequence if a massive magnetar flare is directed toward Earth?
Answer
High-energy photons create nitrogen dioxide, which destroys the ozone layer, leading to mass extinction.
Magnetar flares emit high-energy electromagnetic waves, specifically X-rays and gamma rays, which travel at the speed of light. If a massive burst is aimed at Earth, even from thousands of light-years away, these high-energy photons slam into the upper atmosphere. This interaction triggers chemical reactions that generate nitrogen dioxide. This compound is highly effective at destroying the ozone layer, which protects life on the surface from dangerous solar ultraviolet radiation. The subsequent increase in UV exposure can cause a mass extinction event by sterilizing the planet's surface.
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