Pepperdine Researchers Pioneer AI-Powered Aurora Data Recovery,Advancing Space Weather Prediction
For over a decade adn a half,Seaver College’s physics Department has been at the forefront of space weather research,and a recent breakthrough presented at the American geophysical Union (AGU) conference in New Orleans,Louisiana,from December 11 to 19,2025,promises to unlock a wealth of previously inaccessible data. A team led by professor Gerard Fasel has developed an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) system capable of restoring images of the aurora borealis obscured by cloud cover,perhaps revolutionizing our understanding of the complex interactions between the Sun and Earth.
The AGU, one of the world’s largest scientific conferences, convened leading scientists from institutions like NASA and prominent universities. Fasel, alongside Seaver physics professor John Mann, and their undergraduate researchers, presented their findings and unveiled the new AI collaboration with Fabien Scalzo, a computer science professor at Seaver. Fasel served as a primary convener, developing a session titled “Influence of Space Weather on Solar-Terrestrial Interactions” that showcased the team’s work.
Space weather, as defined by researchers, encompasses the dynamic activity originating from the Sun – including solar winds and solar storms – that impacts our planet and neighboring celestial bodies. Fasel, who coined the term “near-Earth astrophysics,” has dedicated his career to unraveling the intricacies of solar-terrestrial interactions, utilizing the aurora borealis as a key to understanding the coupling mechanisms between the solar wind and Earth’s magnetic field.
“Stars have winds,” Fasel explained, “and this includes our Sun. While solar wind is a relatively continuous stream of particles that interact with the Earth’s magnetic field, the Sun can also produce powerful solar storms. These storms expel billions of charged particles [plasma] coupled to magnetic fields, called coronal mass ejections, which bang up into the Earth’s magnetic field.”
the Earth’s magnetic field acts as a conduit for these particles,guiding them along magnetic field lines towards the upper atmosphere,specifically the ionosphere. The resulting collision of high-energy electrons with oxygen produces the vibrant green hues of the aurora, while lower-energy electrons create a raspberry-red color. The aurora’s mesmerizing, dancing patterns, known as striations, are a direct result of these magnetic field lines.
Data collected from the Kjell Henriksen Observatory in norway, combined with images from NASA spacecraft within Earth’s magnetic field, are crucial for identifying patterns and ultimately forecasting adverse space weather events. “We’d like to be able to forecast when we’re going to have a big space weather event,” Fasel says. “That’s the goal.”
“dr. Fasel, Dr. Mann, and Dr. Scalzo’s collaboration with their students is remarkable and provides a unique experience that will positively impact their future trajectories.Another example is Sean Wu who worked with Dr. Scalzo and others on a number of medical applications of AI, and Sean is now in Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar.What is so special about Seaver is that our faculty are conducting highly specialized research, and they bring their students along for every step of the way.”
beyond Press’s presentation,a cohort of Seaver students,accompanied by assistant professor of physics John Mann,presented eight poster displays as part of Fasel’s Space Weather session,covering topics ranging from North-South auroral arcs to the anatomy of certain anomalies.
“Jason and Fabien made my idea into a reality,” Fasel concluded. “This technological breakthrough presented at AGU, among many others, brings us closer to a deeper understanding of space weather.”
[Image of aurora borealis from the International Space Station provided by NASA astronaut Donald Pettit]
[Image of aurora borealis from the Kjell Henriksen Observatory provided by Gerard Fasel]
[Image of Jason Press speaking with Seaver physics professor John Mann provided by Jason Press]
