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11.01.202511.01.2025

Superflares on the Horizon: Scientists Warn of Increased Space Weather Activity

A team of astronomers has discovered that Sun-like stars produce “superflares” around once every 100 years, which is a significant increase from previous estimates of every 3000 to 6000 years. This finding could have important implications for forecasting space weather and understanding the potential impact on Earth’s upper atmosphere, electrical grids, and radio communications. The researchers analyzed data from the Kepler space telescope and identified almost 3000 bright stellar flares in a population of 56,000 Sun-like stars, suggesting that superflares occur roughly once per century, per star.

Forecast for 6 months: Increased monitoring of space weather activity and potential disruptions to satellite communications and electrical grids due to the increased likelihood of superflares.
Forecast for 1 year: Scientists will continue to study the conditions required to produce superflares, and new data from next-generation telescopes like PLATO will provide valuable insights into stellar activity and the impact of superflares on exoplanets.
Forecast for 5 years: The development of new technologies and strategies to mitigate the effects of superflares on Earth’s infrastructure, including the implementation of more robust satellite systems and improved grid resilience.
Forecast for 10 years: A significant increase in investment in space weather research and monitoring, leading to improved forecasting capabilities and a better understanding of the potential risks and opportunities associated with superflares.

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