Analyzing AIA flare observations using convolutional neural networks
Abstract
In order to efficiently analyse the vast amount of data generated by solar space missions and ground-based instruments, modern machine learning techniques such as decision trees, support vector machines (SVMs) and neural networks can be very useful. In this paper we present initial results from using a convolutional neural network (CNN) to analyse observations from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) in the 1,600Å wavelength. The data is pre-processed to locate flaring regions where flare ribbons are visible in the observations. The CNN is created and trained to automatically analyse the shape and position of the flare ribbons, by identifying whether each image belongs into one of four classes: two-ribbon flare, compact/circular ribbon flare, limb flare, or quiet Sun, with the final class acting as a control for any data included in the training or test sets where flaring regions are not present. The network created can classify flare ribbon observations into any of the four classes with a final accuracy of 94%. Initial results show that most of the images are correctly classified with the compact flare class being the only class where accuracy drops below 90% and some observations are wrongly classified as belonging to the limb class.
Citation
Love , T , Neukirch , T & Parnell , C E 2020 , ' Analyzing AIA flare observations using convolutional neural networks ' , Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences , vol. 7 , 34 . https://doi.org/10.3389/fspas.2020.00034
Publication
Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
2296-987XType
Journal article
Rights
Copyright © 2020 Love, Neukirch and Parnell. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Description
TL acknowledges support by the UK's Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Doctoral Training Centre Grant ST/P006809/1 (ScotDIST). TN and CP both acknowledge support by the STFC Consolidated Grant ST/S000402/1.Collections
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