Fact Sheet
Magnetic Buffer
Giant flares from a young star stir up the disk of gas and dust around the star in this artist's concept. The turbulence may prevent an Earth-like planet (the small blue dot at right) from spiraling into the star. Some astronomers suggest that similar activity by the young Sun may have helped keep Earth at its current spot in the solar system. [Credit: NASA/CXC/M.Weiss]
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