Rubenstein believes that these outbursts are similar to energetic eruptions observed from some stars in binary systems, in which a pair of stars are gravitationally bound together and orbit around each other. A category of binary stars called RS CVn binaries routinely have eruptions that release as much energy as superflares, he said. While astronomers still don't know all of the details of what causes RS CVn binaries to flare, most accept the theory that energy is released from the intertwined magnetic fields between the two stars. At some point, the twisted fields suddenly reorganize into a simpler geometry via a process called magnetic reconnection, Rubenstein said. When this event occurs, the magnetic field emerging from one star becomes connected temporarily to the other star, and vice versa.
Stored energy is released in the form of light and X-rays as the magnetic reconnection occurs.
When the elastic bands are released, they suddenly snap and fly off. The energy is released and channeled into propelling the rubber bands instead of producing light. All nine of the superflares identified by Schaefer are either from single stars or stars with companions too distant to interact magnetically with the flaring star. However, a nearby planet could cause the same reaction, even though the planet would be difficult to detect, Rubenstein noted. Until two years ago, no planets outside of our solar system had been detected.