IPShocks: Largest Database Of Interplanetary Shocks
IPShocks is an online platform that consolidates decades of spacecraft observations into a single, searchable database of interplanetary shocks. These shocks are disturbances in the solar wind, often driven by coronal mass ejections and solar storms, that can affect space weather, disrupt satellite operations, and even impact power grids on Earth.
Originally developed as part of Rays of Space co-founder Alexey Isavnin’s research at the University of Helsinki, IPShocks is now maintained as a scientific resource for the broader community. It combines a comprehensive historical dataset with automated detection tools, allowing researchers to identify and study shocks more efficiently than ever before.
IPSVM Algorithm: Machine Learning for Shock Detection
At the core of the system is the IPSVM algorithm, a machine learning model created by Rays of Space to detect interplanetary shocks from in-situ spacecraft measurements. It analyses parameters such as plasma velocity, density, and magnetic field strength, identifying the sudden changes that signal a shock.
The database includes observations from missions such as Wind, ACE, STEREO-A/B, Helios-A/B, Ulysses, Cluster, DSCOVR, Voyager 1 and 2, OMNI, Parker Solar Probe, and Solar Orbiter, with time coverage from the 1970s to the present. By applying IPSVM to these datasets, IPShocks can detect shocks automatically, replacing what was once a slow, manual process with a fast, reproducible method.
The output is a continually updated catalogue that reflects the latest space weather conditions, supporting both near-real-time monitoring and long-term research into solar–terrestrial interactions.
ai.cdas: Simplifying Spacecraft Data Access
To support IPSVM, Rays of Space developed ai.cdas, a Python library for accessing NASA’s Coordinated Data Analysis Web (CDAWeb). The library streamlines the retrieval of multi-mission datasets, enabling both the IPShocks backend and independent researchers to fetch large volumes of spacecraft data without dealing with complex query formats.
ai.cdas has become a practical tool beyond the IPShocks project, serving anyone who needs programmatic access to heliophysics data from CDAWeb.
Impact
By integrating historical archives, automated detection, and simplified data access, IPShocks transforms the way researchers study interplanetary shocks. It accelerates event identification, improves consistency, and makes a critical space weather phenomenon easier to analyse for both experienced scientists and students entering the field.
For researchers, IPShocks offers:
A unified repository of shocks detected across multiple spacecraft and decades of observations.
A machine learning–driven detection pipeline for rapid, consistent results.
Direct programmatic access to source data for customised analysis.
The platform demonstrates how automation and open access can enhance scientific workflows, reduce repetitive tasks, and expand participation in space weather research.
You can explore the live database at ipshocks.fi.
