New AI Detects Hidden Warning Signs of Solar Eruptions Hours Before They Emerge

A new artificial intelligence system detected faint signs of emerging solar active regions about nine hours before they became visible on average, according to researchers. The AI recognizes magnetic activity developing out of sight before sunspots darken the Sun's visible surface, potentially improving space weather forecasting.

AI detected faint signs of emerging solar active regions about nine hours before they became visible on average. Before a sunspot darkens the Sun’s visible surface, the magnetic activity that creates it is already developing out of sight. Those early changes are faint, but researchers say artificial intelligence can now recognize them hours before a ...