NASA and IBM have launched Surya, an advanced open-source AI model designed to analyze high-resolution solar data and forecast space weather impacts on Earth, especially during solar maximum periods.

The model handles extremely large images—up to ten times larger than typical data—using a specialized multi-architecture system to maintain efficiency and high resolution.

Surya aims to automate the analysis of petabytes of solar data, helping scientists understand solar behavior and magnetic activity, especially during solar maximum when active regions produce flares and solar winds.

Surya has demonstrated a 16% improvement in solar flare classification accuracy and can visually predict flare locations up to two hours in advance, marking a significant leap in solar forecasting capabilities.

This collaboration between NASA and IBM involves handling complex datasets and integrating deep domain expertise, reflecting NASA's broader AI strategy to enhance scientific discovery.

The project’s long-term vision includes continuous improvements, community collaboration, and expanding the model’s applicability to other cosmic phenomena and environmental challenges.

By providing longer lead times for space weather predictions, Surya helps protect critical infrastructure such as communication networks, power grids, and satellites from solar storm disruptions, which could cause economic losses up to $17 billion from a major storm.

Supported by the NSF’s NAIRR Pilot, the development benefits from advanced AI tools and resources, exemplifying collaboration across federal agencies, industry, and academia.

Despite current budget challenges and potential cuts to NASA’s science programs, advancements like Surya demonstrate the ongoing value of NASA’s research efforts in space weather forecasting.

While understanding why solar flares occur remains complex, Surya helps identify underlying patterns faster than existing methods, providing critical extra time for preparedness.

Public and expert reactions have been positive, praising Surya’s technological achievements and its potential to safeguard infrastructure and human lives from solar storm impacts.

Ultimately, Surya exemplifies a shift toward automated, precise space weather forecasting, with future goals to extend forecast lead times and broaden its scientific and practical applications.