# Surya
**Wikidata**: [Q135918903](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q135918903)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/surya

## Summary
Surya is an artificial intelligence model developed through a collaboration between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and IBM. Designed as a heliophysics foundational model, its primary function is to analyze solar phenomena, specifically focusing on the prediction and understanding of solar flares.

## Key Facts
- **Developer:** National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and IBM.
- **Category:** Artificial intelligence model (specifically a foundational model).
- **Primary Subject:** Heliophysics and solar flares.
- **Also Known As:** Surya Heliophysics Foundational Model, NASA-IBM AI4Science, KI-Modell Surya.
- **Licensing:** Available under the MIT License and the Apache Software License 2.0.
- **Accessibility:** Accessible via Hugging Face (`nasa-ibm-ai4science`) and documented on the IBM research blog.
- **Developer Context:** IBM (International Business Machines Corporation) is an American multinational technology corporation incorporated in 1911.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of the Surya AI model?
A: Surya is a heliophysics foundational model designed to analyze data related to the Sun. Its main focus is on solar flares, helping to predict these damaging events through artificial intelligence.

### Q: Who collaborated to create Surya?
A: The model was created through a partnership between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the technology corporation IBM.

### Q: Is the Surya model open source?
A: Yes, the model is associated with open-source licensing, specifically the MIT License and the Apache Software License 2.0, and is available on platforms like Hugging Face.

## Why It Matters
Surya represents a significant intersection of advanced artificial intelligence and space science. By utilizing a "foundational model" approach—similar to techniques used in natural language processing but applied to solar physics—researchers can process vast amounts of solar data more efficiently. The collaboration between a government space agency (NASA) and a private technology leader (IBM) demonstrates a hybrid approach to scientific innovation.

The model's focus on solar flares is critical for modern infrastructure. Solar flares can disrupt power grids, GPS systems, and satellite communications. By improving the prediction of these events, Surya contributes to the safety of astronauts and the stability of Earth-bound communication and energy systems. The use of dual open licenses (MIT and Apache 2.0) further ensures that the scientific community can build upon and improve these predictive capabilities.

## Notable For
- **Collaborative Innovation:** Being a distinct joint project between NASA and IBM, combining domain expertise with AI infrastructure.
- **Specialized Domain:** Serving as a foundational model specifically for heliophysics rather than general-purpose data.
- **Open Accessibility:** Offering permissive licensing (MIT/Apache 2.0) which encourages widespread academic and commercial adoption.
- **Solar Prediction:** Directly addressing the critical need for predicting "damaging flares" emitted by the Sun.

## Body
### Development and Origin
Surya was developed as a joint initiative between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and IBM. IBM, the corporate partner, is an American multinational technology corporation with a long history in the computer industry, dating its inception to June 16, 1911. The project operates under the "NASA-IBM AI4Science" collaborative framework.

### Technical Specifications
The entity is classified as an "artificial intelligence model." It is designed to function as a foundational model for heliophysics.
- **Aliases:** The model is referred to interchangeably as "Surya Heliophysics Foundational Model" and "KI-Modell Surya."
- **Licensing:** The software is distributed under the MIT License and the Apache Software License 2.0.
- **Copyright:** The model retains a copyrighted status.

### Applications and Resources
Surya's main subject matter is solar flares and the broader field of heliophysics. According to video resources associated with the model, it is designed to predict the Sun's damaging flares.
- **Website:** The model is hosted on Hugging Face under the handle `nasa-ibm-ai4science`. A blog post detailing the model is available on the IBM research website.
- **Media:** An explanatory video titled "Why NASA and IBM made a new AI model that predicts the Sun's damaging flares" is available via Wikimedia Commons.