(Please note that this announcement is a joint announcement with the Tokai National University Organization, so there may be some duplication of information.)
Fujitsu Limited
Tokai National University Organization and Fujitsu accelerate exploration of issues and technology development in space weather prediction under comprehensive agreement
Utilizing Fujitsu’s explainable AI to find conditions for solar flares that lead to an increase in solar high-energy particles from among a huge number of combinations
……
National University Corporation Tokai National University Organization (Headquarters: Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Director: Seiichi Matsuo, hereinafter referred to as Tokai National University Organization) and Fujitsu Limited (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President: Takahito Tokita, hereinafter referred to as Tokai National University Organization) Fujitsu) is conducting a joint research project on predicting the occurrence of cosmic radiation, with the aim of ensuring the safety of human activities on the Moon, Mars, and interplanetary space (Note 1). Achieved by applying the AI ”Wide Learning (TM)” to discover the conditions for the occurrence of solar flares (Note 3) (hereinafter referred to as flares), which are a factor in increasing solar high-energy particles (Note 2) that affect space weather. I got it. Both parties will continue to accelerate research that will contribute to humanity’s expansion into deep space through further advancements in space weather forecasting. These results will be presented at the 2024 Spring Annual Meeting of the Astronomical Society of Japan, which is being held from March 11, 2024 (Monday).
【background】
Under a comprehensive agreement (Note 4) concluded on February 24, 2023, Tokai National University Organization and Fujitsu established the Tokai National University Organization Nagoya University Space-Earth Environmental Research Institute (Director: Kazuo Shiokawa, hereinafter referred to as Space-Earth Environmental Research). Fujitsu and Fujitsu are conducting joint research to improve the sophistication of space weather forecasting in the near future, when human activity will expand into space. Space weather affects not only activities in space but also communication failures, disturbances in satellite positioning, flight route decisions, etc. related to daily life, so research is being carried out domestically and internationally to observe and improve space weather. Masu. Among space weather phenomena, there are solar high-energy particles that have a direct impact on artificial satellites and the human bodies of astronauts and others. Solar high-energy particles are a type of cosmic radiation (Note 6) that is suddenly formed due to flares and coronal mass ejections (Note 5) and propagates through space, and direct exposure in space can reach lethal doses. there is. Therefore, predicting the generation and amount of solar high-energy particles will be important in order to ensure safety as humanity continues to advance into space.
[Image 1: https://prtimes.jp/i/93942/268/resize/d93942-268-13f3c3cf76e6e4458a22-0.png&s3=93942-268-f7a2c9a25a00b369ffbefa5695d93cdc-724×336.png ]
Image of the occurrence of space weather phenomena and the effects of solar high-energy particles
[Method and results]
In order to derive the conditions for the occurrence of flares that lead to an increase in solar high-energy particles, Fujitsu’s explainable AI “Wide Learning (TM)” is used to analyze the flare’s brightness, location, duration, and other characteristics. Utilizing the following data, we analyzed and extracted conditions that lead to the occurrence of solar high-energy particle events from among a huge number of combinations.
Data used
・Database on brightness, duration, and location of past solar high-energy particle increase events and flares provided by the Space Weather Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
・Solar surface magnetic field data in the area around sunspots observed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Solar Dynamics Observatory satellite (Note 7)
・A three-dimensional magnetic field model around the sunspot calculated by the Fujitsu supercomputer “Furo” introduced by the Nagoya University Information Technology Center in 2020 using a scheme developed by the Space-Earth Environmental Research Institute (Note 8) The analysis revealed that the size and duration of flares are important in the generation of solar high-energy particles, and that the first flare, which occurs in sunspot regions where fewer flares occur, is likely to cause an increase in solar high-energy particles. I found this. Flares tend to occur consecutively at a sunspot, so the history of previous flares was used to predict flare occurrences. The results of this research suggest that in predicting solar high-energy particle events, it is important to predict the first flare that occurs in the sunspot region, where flare activity the previous day was relatively weak, and that it is important to predict future space weather forecasts. This will provide new guidelines for research and development.
The analytical model developed in this study can achieve predictions with the same accuracy as conventional methods for predicting the increase in solar high-energy particles, and in addition, uses unique parameters based on a three-dimensional magnetic field model around sunspots. We confirmed that this further improved accuracy.
[Image 2: https://prtimes.jp/i/93942/268/resize/d93942-268-78626ee710039c9edf86-1.png&s3=93942-268-811b7d225bff05d800e723e35be2440e-980×536.png ]
[Future outlook]
The two parties will continue to analyze predictions of the first flare, which is the cause of solar high-energy particle events, and accelerate research that provides clues to the generation of solar high-energy particles. By combining knowledge in the field with Fujitsu’s technology, we will work on research and development and social implementation of space weather forecasting, and aim to contribute to safe activities in outer space.
[About trademark]
Proper nouns such as product names listed are trademarks or registered trademarks of each company.
[Note]
Note 1
Interplanetary space: The space between the planets in the solar system (https://astro-dic.jp/interplanetary-space/)
Note 2
Solar high-energy particles: (proton phenomenon) A phenomenon in which accelerated high-energy particles are generated due to solar flares and coronal mass ejections (https://astro-dic.jp/solar-proton-event/) Note 3
Solar flare: An explosive brightening phenomenon that occurs on the sun (https://astro-dic.jp/solar-flare/)
Note 4
Comprehensive agreement: Tokai National University Organization and Fujitsu sign a comprehensive agreement to create a well-being society, explore issues in space activities, and develop technologies to realize SDGs and Society 5.0 (February 24, 2023, Fujitsu Press) release)
(https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/2023/02/24.html)
Note 5
Coronal mass ejection: A phenomenon in which a large amount of plasma from the solar corona is suddenly ejected into interplanetary space (https://astro-dic.jp/coronal-mass-ejection/)
Note 6
Cosmic radiation: A general term for various types of radiation existing in outer space
(https://edu.jaxa.jp/contents/other/seeds/pdf/2_radiation.pdf) Note 7
Solar Dynamics Observatory: Solar Dynamics Observatory Mission (https://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/)
Note 8
3D magnetic field model around sunspots: Kusano et al. 2020 Science (https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aaz2511)
【Related Links】
・About Wide Learning(TM)
(https://widelearning.labs.fujitsu.com/ja/)
・Japan Astronomical Society
(https://www.asj.or.jp/jp/)
[Inquiries regarding this matter]
Tokai National University Organization
Nagoya University Academic Research and Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Promotion Headquarters Phone: 052-788-6150E-mail: sangaku@aip.nagoya-u.ac.jp
Fujitsu Limited
Fujitsu Contact Line (General Counter)
0120-933-200 (toll free)
Reception hours: 9:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 17:30 (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and Fujitsu designated holidays) Contact form (https://contactline.jp.fujitsu.com/customform/csque04802/873532/) Product prices, specifications, service details, etc. stated in the press release are as of the date of announcement. It is subject to change without prior notice. Please note.
More details about this release:
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