Researchers from the Space Weather Laboratory at the Skoltech Center for Digital Engineering, including PhD student Shantanu Jain and Associate Professor Tatiana Podladchikova, alongside their international collaborators, have published a groundbreaking study in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics. The paper, titled "Estimating the Early Propagation Direction of the Coronal Mass Ejection with DIRECD During the Severe Event on May 8 and the Follow-Up Event on June 8, 2024", highlights the success of the DIRECD method in predicting the early propagation direction of solar coronal mass ejections (CMEs).

Shantanu Jain, the first author of the study and a PhD student at the Space Weather Laboratory, explained the significance of this advancement: 

“The ability to predict CME trajectories at an early stage is critical for mitigating their potentially damaging impacts on satellites, communication systems, and power grids.” This research showcases the DIRECD method’s capability to analyze coronal dimming patterns and estimate the propagation direction of CMEs.

By successfully applying the DIRECD method to two recent historical solar storms in May and June 2024— which led to numerous satellite maneuvers to maintain orbit and airlines being rerouted— the team demonstrated its potential to enhance space weather forecasting and protect vital infrastructure from solar storm disruptions."

The full article is available at the link.