Scientists have been left baffled after a massive new hole, 62 times the size of Earth, has been discovered on the surface of the sun.
Graphic visualisation of NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) shows a vast 500,000 mile-wide coronal hole in the sun’s atmosphere.
A coronal hole (CH) is a region on the sun’s outer atmosphere (the corona) where the solar magnetic field opens up, allowing solar wind to escape more easily into space.
These areas appear darker in ultraviolet and X-ray images because they are cooler and less dense than the surrounding corona.
When solar activity is directed toward Earth, it can trigger geomagnetic storms that may disrupt satellite operations, power grids, navigation systems, and radio communications.
Additionally, the disturbance of Earth’s magnetosphere by the solar wind can produce stunning auroral displays.
According to SpaceWeather.com, this solar wind is expected to reach Earth by Friday (January 31), potentially causing G1 geomagnetic storm conditions.
It said: “A large hole in the sun’s atmosphere is directly facing Earth and blowing a stream of solar wind in our direction. Estimated time of arrival: Jan. 31st or Feb. 1st. Minor G1-class geomagnetic storms are possible when the gaseous material reaches Earth.”
Explaining the phenomenon behind it, Shawn Dahl, service coordinator at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center said: “When a CH rotates to the center of the Sun (directly facing Earth), the elevated speed starts its journey towards our planet.
“So, by the time the CH rotates to somewhere between 40-60 degrees west longitude (towards the right side limb of the Sun), that is usually when the HSS and its associated effects reach us here at Earth.”
Coronal holes are a major source of high-speed solar wind streams, which travel much faster (up to 800 km/s) than the slower wind from other parts of the sun.
When the fast solar wind from a coronal hole reaches Earth, it can interact with our planet’s magnetosphere, sometimes triggering geomagnetic storms and enhancing auroras.
Unlike solar flares, which are short-lived, coronal holes can persist for weeks or even months, rotating with the sun.
