Scientists map hidden sunspots on the Sun's far side

A team led by Bibhuti Kumar Jha of Southwest Research Institute has published a probabilistic framework that uses helioseismic data to locate active regions on the Sun's unseen side. Validated against STEREO observations from 2010–2014, the method shows conventional models underestimated the Sun's total unsigned magnetic flux by 10–20%.

• Method combines helioseismology with the Advective Flux Transport model
• Validated against STEREO UV images and SDO data from 2010–2014
• Prior models underestimated total unsigned magnetic flux by 10–20%
• A full space-weather early warning system is still not in place