  Stellar flares 100-10^7 times more energetic than the most powerful solar
flares have been detected from 9 normal F and G main sequence stars (Schaefer,
King & Deliyannis 2000). Although these stars are not in close binary systems,
their superflares show a remarkable similarity to the large stellar flares
observed on RS Canum Venaticorum binary systems. Such flares are caused by
magnetic reconnection events associated with the tangling of magnetic fields
between the two stars. The superflare stars are certainly not of this class,
although the mechanism may be similar. The superflares may be caused by
magnetic reconnection between fields of the primary star and a close-in Jovian
planet. This scenario explains the energies, durations, and spectra of
superflares, as well as explain why our Sun does not have such events. Only
known planetary properties and reconnection scenarios are required by this
mechanism.
