The Theory of Nemesis and Reoccurring Mass Extinctions

For several decades, the topic of periodical mass extinctions has been one of much debate and speculation by the scientific community as well as the media and public. Throughout the past few decades many theories have been researched, but a constant struggle for acceptance and recognition between each theory prevents one from standing out among the others. However, in the 1980’s one particular theory began to make headlines in literature throughout the science world as well as in more widely recognized media such as Time and the New York Times. The theory states that the Sun, which was long thought to be a single star, may actually have a companion star. As this proposed star orbits the sun, it is possible that certain comets may have been thrown out of their orbit by its gravitational field. (Goldsmith 1985) These comets were then directed at Earth, thus causing catastrophic events upon impact such as the extinction of the dinosaurs sixty-five million years ago. In 1984 this theory came to be known as the Nemesis Theory. Research has given much support to this theory, but there as also been substantial opposition with many questions left unanswered. Because this t

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