Astronomers using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) have detected the most powerful flare ever recorded from Proxima Centauri, our closest stellar neighbor. The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal, provides new insights into the violent energy bursts that small stars can unleash.
Proxima Centauri, located just 4.2 light-years away, has long fascinated astronomers due to its rocky planet, Proxima b, which orbits within its habitable zone. However, recent observations reveal that Proxima Centauri is violently unstable and regularly unleashes intense flares, releasing up to 10²⁷ ergs of energy in mere seconds.
These powerful flares could strip planetary atmospheres, potentially erasing any chance of surface life on exoplanets like Proxima b. Unlike our Sun’s activity, which doesn’t remove Earth’s atmosphere due to its thick atmosphere and strong magnetic field, Proxima Centauri’s flares are more powerful and could have severe consequences for the habitability of nearby planets.
ALMA allowed researchers to observe the star in radio and millimeter wavelengths, revealing energetic outbursts that were missed by visible-light telescopes. The team identified 463 flare events, ranging from subtle flickers to powerful bursts lasting up to 16 seconds. The study also suggests that Proxima’s activity is even more extreme than previously thought, with millimeter-wavelength flares following a different power-law distribution.
The findings raise fresh questions about the habitability of nearby exoplanets and offer a new window into the chaotic nature of stellar evolution. While the study doesn’t close the door on life, it reframes the odds for Proxima b, suggesting that its proximity to this volatile star may pose significant challenges to the search for life beyond our solar system.
Source: https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/03/alma-breaking-flare-proxima-centauri