Solar Flare Intensity Prediction with Machine Learning Models

Abstract

We develop a mixed Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) regression model to predict the maximum solar flare intensity within a 24-hour time window 0\(\sim\)24, 6\(\sim\)30, 12\(\sim\)36, 24\(\sim\)48 hours ahead of time using 6, 12, 24, 48 hours of data (predictors) for each HMI Active Region Patch (HARP). The model makes use of (1) the Space-weather HMI Active Region Patch (SHARP) parameters as predictors and (2) the exact flare intensities instead of class labels recorded in the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) data set, which serves as the source of the response variables. Compared to solar flare classification, the model offers us more detailed information about the exact maximum flux level, i.e. intensity, for each occurrence of a flare. We also consider classification models built on top of the regression model and obtain encouraging results in solar flare classifications. Our results suggest that the most efficient time period for predicting the solar activity is within 24 hours before the prediction time under LSTM architecture using the SHARP parameters.