NASA Identifies Coronal Loop Flickering as Key Solar Flare Predictor

New research finds chaotic brightness variations in the Sun's coronal loops could signal major flares hours in advance, offering potential for improved space weather forecasts.

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory has observed erratic flickering in coronal loops, arch-like plasma structures on the Sun, preceding solar flares.
The study analyzed brightness variations in ultraviolet light from coronal loops near 50 strong solar flares, finding chaotic behavior before flare events.
Researchers estimate this method could predict solar flares 2 to 6 hours in advance with 60-80% accuracy, though further validation is needed.
The findings may help protect astronauts, spacecraft, and infrastructure on Earth from the harmful effects of solar radiation and geomagnetic disruptions.
This approach could lead to automated systems that monitor coronal loop activity in real time to issue early warnings of dangerous space weather.