SPACE::LAB summer school: From cosmic data to predictions

During the last week of August, the sixth year of the SPACE::LAB summer school was held in Košice at the Institute of Experimental Physics SAS. Over three days, 20 participants addressed cosmic physics and the application of machine learning to predict extreme events in the near universe. The latest technological trends were successfully connected with space research, which the IEP SAS has been working on for decades.

“The use of machine learning and artificial intelligence is becoming the standard in the application tasks of space physics. One such task is the prediction of geomagnetic storms, which can have very negative consequences for current technologies, and thus for the entire society,” said RNDr. Šimon Mackovjak, PhD., member of the Department of Space Physics, IEP SAS.

The first day was focused on explaining the sources, course and consequences of geomagnetic storms. Roman Nagy, member of the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics at the Comenius University in Bratislava explained the important basics of plasma movement in a magnetic field. During the second day, participants learned how to use deep neural networks and AI agents to predict space weather indexes. Vierka Krešňáková and Stano Hrivňak shared their long-term expertise in these technologies. One of the key aspects of the summer school is the practical part, which the participants worked on during the third day. This way, they could thus transfer the acquired theoretical knowledge to projects. Samo Amrich, a student at Charles University in Prague explained the best way how to present these projects.

“In recent years, SPACE::LAB summer school has become an integral part of our activities. This year too, there was a high interest in participating, with Slovak students studying abroad coming again. This way we create a space where we can work with very talented and highly motivated students. Subsequently, we involve them in our research as well. Five such students are currently participating in the projects we have with ESA – the European Space Agency,” summarized the space physicist, who organizes activities under the SPACE::LAB and also leads several ESA projects.

The upcoming event for the public will be the SPACE::TALK meetup, which will be held on Thursday, October 3 at 6 PM on Bulharska 4 in Košice. More information and registration is available at this link.

Original text HERE