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This is the page for an operational solar flare AI prediction model, Deep Flare Net. Solar flares can cause
solar storms, communication failures, satellite failures, etc. Ths model uses deep neural networks to forecast
the largest solar flares that will occur within the next 24 hours, and updates the forecast every few hours.

Today's forecast by DeFN 131A

Flare Forecast by NICT:

Solar flares are daily predicted by human hand in NICT, where Deep Flare
Net is used at the daily space weather forecasting meeting. You can also
compare forecasts from around the world here.

Impact by Solar Flares:

Solar flares are classified by the amount of X-ray emissions. The classes are X, M, C, B, and A, in descending
order of magnetitude. The class increases by one when the amount of X-rays becomes 10 times larger. When
a flare of M5.0 or higher, which is five times larger than the M1.0 class flare, occurs, we must be vigilant
becasue a radio blackout will occur, soon after X-rays will disable shortwave communications on the ground.

Figure 1: Example of solar flare observations and soft X-ray light curve (GOES/NOAA) [Today]


The attenucation of shortwave communications by solar flares is called the Dellinger phenomenon or
sudden ionospheric disturbances. Shortwave communications use reflections in the ionosphere to communicate
over long distances. However, when the atmosphere is heated by X-rays from a flare, radio waves are absorbed
and not reflected, making communication impossible. This phenomenon occurs on the day side of the earth.

Figure 2: Example of a map of the Dellinger phenomenon based on solar X-ray observations.
The color bar indicates the degree of influence. The red line represents the path of inercontinental
long-distance communication using shortwave communicatnions. [ Today]


In addition to X-rays, solar flares emit high-energy charged particles, which can cause astronaut and aircrew
exposure and communication anomalies in the polar regions. When a coronal mass ejection (CME) strekes the
Earth, it causes geomagnetic and ionospheric disturbances that increase the risk of various failures, including
satellite operations, satellite positioning, and power outages. For more information, please watch the video below.

Movie1:SWx and Flare Forecasts Gently Explained

Movie2:Lecture for elementary school students on
solar flare prediction by researchers

Links:

Attached is a banner with relevant links.

Yamagawa Solar banner Deep Flare Net banner WASAVIES banner Aurora banner
Radiationbelt banner HFstart banner SECURES banner ISES banner


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