Empirical modeling reveals potential flare energies reaching several 10³⁴ erg from giant historical sunspots, indicating that the Sun is capable of producing superflares.
Key Points
To determine the empirical upper limit of solar flare energies by applying modern flare scaling relations to the largest sunspot groups in recorded history.
Derived statistical upper-envelope scaling relations linking flare-ribbon areas to total released energy using modern observational datasets.
Extrapolated these empirical relations to the largest recorded sunspot group since 1859, the Great Sunspot of 8 April 1947.
Exceptionally large and complex solar active regions possess sufficient magnetic area to produce flares with bolometric energies reaching a few × 10³⁴ erg.
Demonstrated that the Sun is physically capable of hosting superflares within the energy ranges detected on other Sun-like stars.