The physics of solar flares could help scientists predict imminent outbursts

Large outbursts of radiation from the sun can damage infrastructure on Earth

Large solar flare

Large solar flares like this one from September 2017 (brightest purple-colored spot) are difficult to predict. A new method uses an understanding of the physics of flares to pinpoint regions where the outbursts are likely to occur.

SDO/GSFC/NASA

Space weather forecasting is a guessing game.