Houston, Texas – Solar storms, also known as solar flares, are natural phenomena that occur regularly on the Sun. These powerful events not only create beautiful displays in the sky but also pose significant threats to our technology-driven society. In response to this, NASA has developed an advanced model that can provide a 30-minute warning before a potentially catastrophic storm strikes.
Solar storms involve various emissions and eruptions from the Sun, following an 11-year cycle as a part of its lifecycle. These eruptions mainly occur on the Sun’s surface, within the photosphere, and involve the ejection of ionized material due to the buildup of magnetic energy, especially around the Sun’s equator. The intensity of these storms can vary, and they are categorized similarly to terrestrial storms like hurricanes.
In 1859, the Carrington Event, the most intense solar storm recorded to date, illuminated the night sky with brilliant auroras from the Caribbean to snowy mountain peaks. This event began with visible sunspots on August 28 and escalated with a massive flare on September 1, causing widespread disruptions, including fires and electric shocks in telegraph systems.
Recent years have highlighted the potential havoc that solar storms can wreak on our electrical and communication infrastructures, as seen in a significant storm in 1991 that led to a massive blackout across Quebec, Canada. To address these risks, NASA has developed an artificial intelligence model named DAGGER. This model utilizes data from multiple solar observation satellites and employs deep learning techniques to predict solar storm impacts quickly and accurately.
DAGGER’s predictive capabilities have the potential to revolutionize how we respond to solar threats by providing a crucial 30-minute lead time for preparation and mitigation efforts. Moreover, the system is designed to predict not only the timing but also the likely geographic impact zones of these storms. Advancements like DAGGER offer hope for anticipating and preparing for celestial challenges as our civilization continues to rely on the Sun’s behavior.