When did we find out that a meteor killed the dinos?

What is the consideration of a Quasar-effect/Gamma-burst/uber-Xray-event that could have happened, yet not coincided with an impact event? Wouldn’t a 1-day/rotation under an extreme radiation not be possible to cause catostrophic devastation? Do Cosmic/Gamma/X rays leave a telltale signature? Alpha/Beta exposure over time cause death?