What is the story about?
What's Happening?
NASA, in collaboration with IBM, has launched the Surya Heliophysics Foundational Model, an AI system trained on 14 years of data from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. Surya analyzes solar data to improve understanding of solar eruptions and predict space weather, which poses risks to satellites, power grids, and communication systems. The model provides early warnings to satellite operators and forecasts the Sun's ultraviolet impact on Earth's atmosphere. Surya's visual predictions of solar flares two hours ahead mark a significant advancement in heliophysics.
Why It's Important?
Solar storms can disrupt GPS, satellite communications, and power grids, posing significant risks to technology-dependent societies. Surya's predictive capabilities enhance space weather defense, protecting critical systems and technologies. The model's open-access nature allows researchers worldwide to leverage NASA's heliophysics data, fostering innovation and broader understanding of solar activity impacts. This initiative supports NASA's mission to advance scientific research through AI and data science.
Beyond the Headlines
Surya's architecture is adaptable across scientific domains, potentially benefiting planetary science and Earth observation. The project lays the groundwork for similar AI efforts in diverse fields, promoting data-driven science. Supported by the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Pilot, Surya exemplifies federal and industry collaboration to accelerate scientific breakthroughs.
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