According to scientists, ultraviolet radiation (aka UV) generated during superflares of stars can destroy the atmosphere of any planet in orbit close to it. However, even then, a number of organisms will be able to survive, — notes the weekly magazine «Profile».
According to experts, this phenomenon poses a serious danger to life in the Universe — having the ability not only to destroy the existing one, but also to interfere with the process of its origin. Thus, superflares affected the astrobiological potential of Proxima b, orbiting Proxima Centauri.
Scientists came to their conclusions by examining 42 superflares of the so-called «red dwarfs». It turned out that «dwarfs» — stars are dimmer and smaller — more active than stars like the Sun.
As experts explain, their discovery could in the future affect a number of scientific studies and decisions: for example, which planets will be observed by the James Webb Space Telescope (NASA).
