January 6, 2021 A new study from Northwestern University shows that solar flares – space weather – might not always be as dangerous for life on exoplanets as typically thought. In fact, it might even help astronomers discover alien life on distant worlds. Artist’s concept of a distant red dwarf star and accompanying exoplanet. Red dwarfs are common in our galaxy. They produce volatile, deadly flares – and accompanying space weather – that can erode the atmospheres of any nearby planets and severely endanger any existing life. But … maybe not always, according to a new study. Image via NASA/ ESA/ D. Player (STScI). A few days ago, we reported new findings about how space weather spawned by Proxima Centauri, the nearest star to our sun, might inhibit life on Proxima’s planets. Volatile red dwarf stars like Proxima are prone to powerful space weather, that is, bursts of radiation caused by flares on these stars. There are lots of red dwarf stars in our galaxy. So it’s been with some wistfulness that astronomers in recent years have reported that red dwarf space weather might decrease our chances of finding exoplanet life. But science marches on, and now a new study provides some hope for those searching for life beyond Earth. The study suggests that space weather might not always be