Coronal Hole Video: Massive Hole Has Opened On Sun Can Affect Earth
Learn what a coronal hole is, how it forms, how it affects Earth, and when the latest one happened in this article. Find out how a dark spot on the Sun can create geomagnetic storms and auroras on Earth.
How a Dark Spot on the Sun Can Affect Earth
A coronal hole is a part of the Sun that looks darker and cooler than the rest of the Sun. It is not really a hole, but a place where the Sun’s atmosphere, called the corona, is thinner and less hot. The corona is the outer layer of the Sun that we can see during a solar eclipse.
A coronal hole forms when the Sun’s magnetic field, which is like a giant magnet, changes its shape and opens up. The magnetic field is what holds the corona together and makes it glow. When the magnetic field opens up, some of the corona escapes into space as a stream of charged particles, called the solar wind.
The solar wind from a coronal hole can travel faster than the normal solar wind. When it reaches Earth, it can interact with Earth’s magnetic field, which is also like a magnet. This can cause disturbances in the Earth’s magnetosphere, which is the region of space around Earth that is influenced by Earth’s magnetic field. These disturbances are called geomagnetic storms, and they can affect things like satellites, power grids, radio communications, and auroras. Auroras are the colorful lights that we sometimes see in the sky near the poles.
The latest coronal hole happened on November 27 and 28, 2023. It was caused by a series of powerful explosions on the Sun’s surface, called solar flares. Solar flares are bursts of energy and radiation that can also affect Earth. The coronal hole and the solar flares were observed by a satellite called the Solar Dynamics Observatory, which takes pictures of the Sun every day. You can see some of the video here .
Conclusion:
A coronal hole is a fascinating phenomenon that shows how the Sun’s magnetic field and atmosphere can change over time. It also shows how the Sun and Earth are connected by the solar wind, which can have both positive and negative effects on our planet. By studying coronal holes and solar flares, we can learn more about the Sun’s behavior and how to protect ourselves from its impacts.