What powers the most energetic flares in the Kepler field? Revisiting the superflaring star KIC 2852961
The study investigated what causes extreme flares from KIC 2852961, a red giant star with powerful superflares. Researchers used spectroscopic and photometric data to find that these flares are driven by the star's internal magnetic activity and extensive starspots. Tidal interactions in its close binary system helped amplify this magnetic energy storage, while differential rotation contributes to both spot formation and the twisting of magnetic fields that power the most energetic events.