NASA Launches AI Model Surya to Predict Space Weather

NASA, along with IBM, has released an AI model called Surya, which aims at enhancing space weather forecasting. Trained on about a decade of data from the Solar Dynamics Observatory, it is able to anticipate solar flares and eruptions as far as two hours in advance. Surya introduces the spectral block layers and transformer architecture to find faint patterns of solar activities with 16 percent more accuracy than the models used before. It has been tested on 2015 St. Patrick Day geomagnetic storm, in which it accurately simulated the event. It has been published as open-source so that worldwide cooperation is possible in order to enhance prevention of solar threats.

Context 

• Solar flares and CMEs pose a danger to satellites, power grids, aviation and the safety of astronauts.

• Established forecasting techniques are sometimes not capable of early and accurate prediction of such events.

• NASA wants to use AI-enabled heliophysics to prepare and resilience globally.

Key Points

Why It Matters

• Solar activity may be involved.

• Damage satellites

• That is the reason why power outages on a large scale happen.

• Interfere with an aircraft and GPS signals

• Put astronauts in peril in space

• Improved forecasting leads to improved global readiness

Surya’s Features

• Its backbone consists of: Spectral block layers and transformer model

• Forecasts: Solar flares, the velocity of solar wind, the extreme profiles of ultraviolet

• Accuracy: 16 % increase over conventional models

• Verified: 2015 St. Patrick geomagnetic storm successfully reproduced

Global Collaboration

• Partners: NASA, IBM, NSF, NVIDIA, universities and research institutes

• Open-source publication: promotes global study & optimisation

• Develops the basis of heliophysics on AI assistance

Strategic Significance

• Advance warnings: miniaturizing of satellite contingencies and power grid interruption

• Supports safety in aviation and space missions

• Accelerates the work of AI + space science in modern technologically-advanced societies

Conclusion 

NASA AI model Surya is a first in predictive space weather forecasting. It has an open-source structure that supports global collaboration to protect satellites, astronauts and key infrastructure. In a world where space weather is an increasingly dangerous reality, Surya is ensuring greater preparedness across the world in facing its hazards, and in building a future where the world is connected safely.