http://arxiv.org/abs/1708.04241
We explore some of the ramifications that superflares have on the evolutionary history of Earth, other planets in the Solar system, and exoplanets. We propose that the most powerful superflares can serve as putative drivers of extinction events, and that their periodicity corresponds to certain patterns in the terrestrial fossil extinction record. On the other hand, weaker superflares may play a positive role in enabling the origin of life through the formation of key organic compounds. Superflares could also prove to be quite detrimental to the evolution of complex life on present-day Mars and exoplanets in the habitable zone of M- and K-dwarfs. We conclude that the risk posed by superflares has not been sufficiently appreciated, and that humanity might witness a superflare event in the next $\sim 10^3$ years leading to devastating economic and technological losses.
M. Lingam and A. Loeb
Wed, 16 Aug 17
25/46
Comments: 33 pages; 0 figures