Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery that could help predict solar flares, potentially protecting astronauts and technology from hazardous space weather. Researchers at NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory used advanced analysis to identify flickering loops in the Sun’s corona that signal when a large flare is imminent.
The team, led by heliophysicist Emily Mason, studied arch-like structures called coronal loops near 50 strong solar flares. They found that these loops varied significantly in brightness before a flare compared to those above non-flaring regions. This erratic behavior is like flashing warning lights and could provide crucial warnings of impending space weather events.
The team’s findings suggest that the flickering reaches its peak earlier for stronger flares, which would allow for more precise predictions. Currently, researchers are exploring methods to measure brightness variations in coronal loops, with potential accuracy rates reaching 60-80%. This advancement could revolutionize space weather prediction and safeguard astronauts, spacecraft, electrical grids, and other assets from harmful radiation.
While each solar flare is unique like a snowflake, the research team hopes their discovery can lead to improved forecasting capabilities. The scientists aim to develop an automated system that can analyze real-time images from the Solar Dynamics Observatory to issue alerts, helping to mitigate the effects of solar flares on space and terrestrial activities.
Source: https://science.nasa.gov/science-research/heliophysics/nasa-solar-observatory-sees-coronal-loops-flicker-before-big-flares