Astronomers first documented a CME in 1859, in conjunction with the widespread energy grid disruptions that later became known as the Carrington Event. It’s particularly helpful to astronomers searching for habitable planets across the Milky Way galaxy. The so-called Goldilocks Zone refers to a planet orbiting within a star’s habitable region–one that is capable of sustaining liquid water and a protective atmosphere. Since most planets in the galaxy revolve around red dwarfs, it begs the question: do those stars regularly produce such devastating CMEs? “This has important implications for how these planets keep hold of their atmospheres and possibly remain habitable over time.”