ADVANCED WARNING FOR SOLAR FLARES FROM PHOTOSPHERE IMAGE ANALYSIS

A method for quantifying disorder and extracting a corresponding numerical value of an order parameter from contrast analysis applied to optical images acquired of the solar photosphere. Temporal variation of the order parameter may be utilized to predict events such as solar flares, which have the ability to disrupt both communication systems and satellite orbits. The degree of order of the photosphere may be monitored to predict solar flares and other solar events. The method may utilize a spin-based (Ising/Potts) model of disorder.