Overview

• 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.