Scientists at Nyu Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) model that can change the way in which powerful explosions of the sun are predicted.
By analyzing high-resolution images of the sun, the system predicts that sunlight is at speed up to four days in advance. This is much more accurate than the current method.
This leap into predictive power is more than academic achievement. It could play a key role in protecting satellites, navigation systems, and global power infrastructure from the potentially devastating impacts of space weather.
What is the solar wind?
The solar wind is the flow of charged particles (mainly electrons and protons) that always flow outward from the sun into the universe.
Although invisible to the human eye, these high-energy particles travel at incredible speeds, sometimes exceeding million miles per hour.
As they intensify, solar winds interact with the Earth’s magnetic field, causing space weather that can disrupt satellites, disrupt communications, and destabilize the power grid.
A dramatic example occurred in 2022, with SpaceX losing 40 newly launched Starlink satellites due to a surge in solar winds.
Events like these highlight the urgent need for better forecasting tools that can provide early warnings to industries and governments.
NYUAD’s AI Model: A leap in accuracy
NYUAD announced an AI system that can predict solar wind speeds up to four days ago.
The project was led by postdoctoral researchers Dattaraj Dhuli and Shuravan Hanasoge, co-direct investigators at the Center for Space Sciences (CASS) at NYUAD.
Instead of analyzing text or numerical data, the AI model processes high-resolution ultraviolet (UV) images captured by NASA’s solar dynamics observatory.
By comparing these solar images with historical records of solar wind patterns, AI can detect subtle visual cues that indicate future changes.
The results are impressive. It has a 45% improvement in accuracy compared to the operating model and a 20% increase over the AI-driven approach.
Why solar wind prediction is important
Accurate prediction of solar winds is important to protect the technological backbone of modern society.
When a strong solar wind collides with the Earth’s magnetosphere, they:
Push satellites out of orbit by increasing atmospheric drag damage-sensitive electronics on the spacecraft GPS, communications and navigation systems interfere with the terrestrial power grid, leading to power outages
By providing a few days of advance warning, NYUAD’s AI tools provide a buffer for satellite operators, energy companies and space agencies to take protection measures before a storm occurs.
Dhuri added: “This is a major step forward in protecting the satellites, navigation systems and power infrastructures that modern life relies on.
“Combining advanced AI and solar observations allows for early warnings that will help protect critical technologies on Earth and space.”
A step towards safer space technology
This breakthrough shows how artificial intelligence can deal with one of the most sustained challenges in space science: one of the solar winds.
With improved forecasting, humanity is suited to navigate the risks of spatial weather and ensure the resilience of infrastructure essential to an increasingly space-based world.
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