Astrophysical research reveals that the Radcliffe wave, a vast 9,000 light-year structure filled with gas and dust, passed through our Solar System approximately 14 million years ago. Utilizing data from the Gaia telescope, scientists found that new stars formed within the wave when the Solar System was in proximity to it. This event coincided with a dramatic increase in supernovae, altering Earth’s view of the night sky. The findings suggest current environmental conditions were affected by this galactic phenomenon, shedding light on our Solar System's cosmic history.
If we are in a denser region of the interstellar medium, that would mean that the light coming from the stars to you would be dimmed. It's like being in a foggy day.
The Sun and the Radcliffe wave were near each other between 12 and 15 million years ago. Ultimately, the scientists estimated that we moved through the wave roughly 14 million years ago.
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