Automated Detection of Filaments and their Disappearance using Full Disc H-alpha Images

TL;DR

This paper presents an automated algorithm for detecting and tracking solar filaments in H-alpha images, enabling real-time monitoring and space weather prediction by analyzing filament attributes and their disappearance.

Contribution

The novel algorithm automatically detects, labels, and tracks filaments in solar images, including their disappearance, and is designed for real-time space weather monitoring.

Findings

Successfully detects and labels filaments in H-alpha images.

Tracks filament evolution and disappearance over time.

Prepares for integration with real-time solar observation systems.

Abstract

A new algorithm is developed that automatically detects filaments on the solar disc in H-alpha images. Preprocessing of H-alpha images include corrections for limb darkening and foreshortening. Further, by applying suitable intensity and size thresholds, filaments are extracted, while other solar features e.g. sunspots and plages are removed. Filaments attributes such as their position on the solar disc, total area, length, and number of fragments are determined. In addition, every filament is also labelled with a unique number. The algorithm is capable of following a particular filament through successive images which allows us to detect the changes and disappearance of the same, and thus provides a real-time warning of eruptive filaments. This aspect would prove to be of particular importance in studies pertaining to space weather. The algorithm will eventually be integrated with an upcoming telescope at Udaipur Solar Observatory for real time monitoring of activated/eruptive filaments.