Marin Graduate Enhances Aurora Borealis Research Using AI

A recent project led by Jason Press, a graduate from Marin Catholic High School, is harnessing artificial intelligence to improve the accuracy of data concerning the aurora borealis. Currently a senior at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Press’s work focuses on overcoming challenges posed by cloud cover, which often obscures vital information about this stunning natural phenomenon.

In an email, Press explained the difficulties faced in collecting aurora data, stating, “There are very few clear-sky nights with aurora data. When clouds roll in, that data is usually lost. My job was to build a model that could see through the clouds.” This innovative approach is enabling scientists to recover valuable data that was previously discarded.

Press and his research team achieved a significant milestone last summer, successfully clarifying images from 90 minutes of satellite video of the aurora borealis. Their findings were recognized by their invitation to present at the American Geophysical Union conference in December, showcasing the potential of AI in environmental research.

Collaboration and Impact on Scientific Predictions

Press’s computer science professor, Fabien Scalzo, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “I’m thrilled by the work Jason has done. His curiosity and hard work at the intersection of computer vision and AI are opening vast areas of research in the analysis of Auroras.”

The aurora borealis, a visual spectacle generated by the interaction of solar-charged particles with the Earth’s magnetic field, has been monitored by satellites for over a decade. Yet, according to Press, approximately half of the available satellite data is rendered useless due to cloud interference.

In addition to Press, his chief mentor, Gerard Fasel, a physics professor at Pepperdine, highlighted the broader implications of their research. By improving the accuracy of auroral data, scientists may enhance their ability to predict severe geophysical events induced by solar flares, such as those that have historically disrupted power grids.

Fasel noted the significance of such predictions, referencing a solar wind event in 1859, which caused telegraph lines to catch fire, and a less severe storm in 1989, which resulted in a power outage in Quebec. “We’d like to be able to predict these storms so that we can power our spacecraft down so that we don’t lose the electrical circuits on our spacecraft,” Fasel added. His research on the aurora borealis spans nearly three decades, dating back to 1995.

A Legacy of Academic Excellence

Press’s academic journey began in Mill Valley, California, where he was raised as the middle child in a family of five, both parents being veterinarians. The family later moved to Belvedere when Press was 18.

Chris Valdez, principal at Marin Catholic High School, remarked on the Press family’s commitment to education and community involvement, stating, “Jason Press is one of five Press siblings having attended Marin Catholic, each of them top academic students, but also balanced by activities in service, sports, and music.”

Valdez further emphasized the family’s creative spirit, noting, “It is no surprise that Jason is using his intellectual gifts and curiosity to not only explore this data recovery project but also to develop tools to aid in the process.”

Through his research, Press is not only contributing to scientific understanding but also exemplifying the potential of young scholars to innovate and inspire in the field of environmental science.