A new study from the Max Planck Institute of Solar System Research (MPS) reveals that stars like our Sun emit massive bursts of energy called “superflares” roughly once every 100 years. This means our Sun’s next superflare could happen at any time, as it is already overdue. Superflares release more than one octillion joules of energy in moments, making them potentially catastrophic. Previous research suggested these events occurred less than once every 1,000 years, but new evidence from thousands of Sun-like stars indicates otherwise. “The new data are a stark reminder that even the most extreme solar events are part of the Sun’s natural repertoire,” said Dr. Natalie Krivova, study co-author from MPS. Researchers studied traces of past solar events, such as radioactive carbon isotopes in tree rings and glacial ice. They identified five confirmed “extreme solar particle events” over the past 12,000 years, with the most intense recorded in 775 A.D. These findings suggest such events occur approximately every 1,500 years, though the link between these events and superflares remains unclear. “This requires further investigation,” explained Prof. Dr. Ilya Usoskin from the University of Oulu. To better understand superflares, the team analyzed data from 56,450 Sun-like stars observed by NASA’s Kepler telescope. They identified 2,889 superflares across 2,527 stars, revealing that a typical Sun-like star produces one superflare roughly every century. “We were very surprised that Sun-like stars are prone to such frequent superflares,” said lead author Dr. Valeriy Vasilyev of MPS. The potential impact of a superflare is immense. The 1859 Carrington Event—a solar storm far weaker than a superflare—caused widespread telegraph failures. A superflare today could devastate satellites, GPS systems, and modern technologies. Starting in 2031, the European Space Agency’s Vigil probe will provide early warnings, allowing protective measures to mitigate the damage. The post Deadly ‘Superflare’ from Our Sun Could Strike Anytime appeared first on Anomalien.com.