The sun is known to have violent outbursts where it releases harmful radioactive atoms towards Earth known as “superflares.” These superflares can unleash energy equivalent to 16 trillion atomic bombs exploding simultaneously, with each one releasing more than a septillion joules of energy.
Recent research indicates that these solar tantrums may occur more frequently than previously believed, suggesting that we may be underestimating their occurrence and intensity based on studies of other stars in the universe. While previous estimates suggested superflares occur every 1,000 to 10,000 years, current research suggests that sun-like stars could produce superflares approximately once every century.
Although Earth’s magnetic field provides protection against most serious radiation, scientists warn that another solar tantrum could have a significant impact on life on our planet. Researchers have collected evidence of solar superflares from ancient tree trunks and glaciers, and observations of Sun-like stars using data from NASA’s Kepler space telescope have provided further insights into the frequency of superflares.
In the most precise study to date, observations of 56,450 Sun-like stars over a span of 220,000 years revealed 2,889 superflares occurring during that time period. This extensive research has shed light on the frequency of superflares and their potential impact on Earth.
In 1859, a powerful solar storm caused widespread damage to telegraph networks across Europe and America, highlighting the potential risks of solar activity on Earth’s infrastructure. However, future missions like ESA’s Vigil spacecraft, scheduled for launch in 2031, could help provide an early warning system for such solar events.
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
