Kilonova rays could end life on Earth from 300 light years away

Plus: Cybertruck-like electric scooter sells out instantly, China’s 5G supremacy, luxury space loo. When two city-sized neutron stars collide, they unleash a cosmic cataclysm on an interstellar scale. This rare event, called a kilonova, spews radiation potent enough to imperil life dozens of light-years away. New research reveals that the Earth would not fare well if caught in one of these devastating explosions. If our planet was unfortunate enough to be caught in a jet of gamma radiation, we could be destroyed by a kilonova nearly 300 light years away. Though remote, the possibility highlights a cosmic threat hidden in the dark spaces between stars. Kilonovas may be uncommon, but their planet-killing potential dwarfs even supernovae, as you'll learn in today’s [Must Read](. Next time you admire the night sky, say a silent thanks that no neutron stars have collided in our vicinity recently. Good morning. I’m Tim, newsletter editor at IE. This is the Blueprint. Let's get into it. 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Must Read [💥 Kilonova study: Life as we know it might end if two neutron stars collide]( A new study investigates threats to life from rare kilonova neutron star collisions. If Earth was unlucky enought to be hit by a narrow jet of gamma rays produced by a kilonova, it could be lethal up to 300 light-years away from the collision. But closer in, up to just 35 light-years from the explosion, energetic cosmic rays unleashed by the kilonova could flood planets and destroy their protective ozone layers, posing a major risk in a large volume of space surrounding the collision. Kilonovas are uncommon, but if one occurred nearby, cosmic rays could decimate life on Earth. While not an imminent concern, kilonovas may pose a larger menace than solar flares or supernovae if Earth sat in a collision's path of destruction. However, asteroid impacts remain our most pressing cosmic risk. [[Read More]( [Transportation]( [🛵 Infinite Machine unleashes P1 Cybertruck-like EV scooter, all sold-out]( US company Infinite Machine has unveiled its boldly-designed P1 electric scooter, which strongly evokes Tesla's Cybertruck aesthetic. With angular panels and mono chassis in aluminum and steel, the scooter boasts a 60 mile range, 55 mph top speed, and 16 horsepower motor. Infotainment, storage, and modular accessories add functionality. The $10,000 P1 sold out its first 1,000 pre-orders, showing strong interest in the distinctive model. [[Read More]( [Culture]( [🚾 Carbon-neutral spaceflight company unveils luxury space loo]( Space tourism company Space Perspective has revealed designs for a spa-like restroom in its balloon-lifted passenger capsule. With up to 6 hour flights to 30 km altitude, the company opted for an inviting, retreat-like loo with plants and warm hues. This contrasts starkly with the functional International Space Station toilet. The “Space Spa” aligns with Space Perspective’s emphasis on luxury, comfort, and the view, providing a moment of solitude amid the sublime experience. [[Read More]( [Innovation]( [😲 Base station boom: China’s 5G dominance continues to outpace the US]( China has built over 3.19 million 5G base stations, delivering advanced connectivity nationwide. While supporting entertainment, China is also using 5G to improve remote education, telemedicine, and industrial efficiency. With speeds rivaling fiber broadband, low latency, and expanded capacity, 5G enables smart factories, augmented reality, and automation. China also leads globally in 5G rollout and patents, and the country is poised to supercharge innovation and productivity across economic sectors. [[Read More]( job alert In this section you’ll find the latest jobs as featured on: [jobs.interestingengineering.com]( [PHP Engineering Manager]( at Aptive Environmental LLC Provo(US) [Senior ASIC Verification Engineer, Coherent High Speed Interconnect]( at NVIDIA Santa Clara(US) - $124,000 - $247,250 a year [Web Backend Engineer]( at Lindblad Expeditions -(US) - $110,000 - $140,000 a year [Lead Software Engineer]( at First American Financial Corporation Santa Ana(US) - $94,800 - $183,500 a year [Industrial Engineer]( at ENSCO, Inc. Pueblo(US) - $26.29 - $39.56 an hour [Software Engineer]( at USNR Eugene(US) [Cloud Engineer]( at Cross Country Healthcare Remote(US) - $124,000 - $140,000 a year [Senior Endpoint Engineer, IS&T]( at George Washington Medical Faculty Associates Arlington(US) [Senior Software Engineer - Full Stack]( at Alert Innovation Andover(US) [Cloud Engineer]( at The Goal Family of Companies Sioux Falls(US) QUESTION OF THE DAY Does the threat of destruction by kilonova worry you at all? [It didn't, until today]( [No, seems like a low risk]( [I expect it would be quick]( [What a way to go!]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS You gave your overwhelming support to the liquid metal moondust-excluding innovation in yesterday’s poll. 69 percent would like to see the prototype next year, but 22 percent expect it to take a little longer to get there. 69% Hope so, great idea 22% It'll take longer to perfect 5% Liquid metal sounds dangerous 3% The dust will break it “Even if it never induced a mass extinction, a nearby kilonova event would be visible on Earth ... and remain bright in the sky for over a month.” Haille Perkins, physicist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign AMAZON AMAZERS [10-Cup Drip Coffee Maker]( [$142.48]( [Shark Navigator]( [$169.99]( [Anycubic Cobra 3D Printer]( [$459.99]( [Revlon Compact Hair Dryer]( [$10.99]( AND ANOTHER THING - [Study confirms type 2 diabetes patients can benefit from e-bikes]( - [Password Admin123: Hackers sweat to expose Philippines’ state secrets]( - [Could ScaleAI secure US supremacy over China in the AI arms race?]( - [Astronauts use circadian lightning, and so can you]( [premium] - [Green living: Italian firm's stunning 3D-printed bioplastic furniture]( - [How ultra-processed food affects mental health]( [premium] - [US Army looking to upgrade aerostats for the modern battlefield]( - [62-million-year-old Arctic rocks help understand Earth’s leaking core]( - [337-million-year old shark fossils found at a US National Park]( - [Mice found atop volcanoes weren’t hitchhikers but mountaineers]( Need help with advertising? 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