Giant hole on the Sun could fit 60 Earths. It's now exploding

The coronal hole, that has popped on the Sun is currently rotating away from Earth, but it sent major explosions towards Earth.

In Short

• The coronal hole reached its peak size within a day
• It has expanded to an extraordinary width of nearly 4,97,000 miles
• It occurs as the sun approaches the peak of its 11-year activity cycle

Astronomers are closely monitoring an immense coronal hole that has recently formed on the sun's surface, casting a stream of high-velocity solar winds in the direction of our planet.

This vast expanse of darkness, which emerged near the sun's equator on December 2, has expanded to an extraordinary width of nearly 4,97,000 miles — equivalent to over 60 Earths laid side by side.

The coronal hole reached its peak size within a day and has since been facing Earth directly, starting from December 4. These holes are not uncommon, but the scale and timing of this one have caught the attention of the scientific community.

It is particularly notable because it occurs as the sun approaches the peak of its 11-year activity cycle, known as the solar maximum, anticipated to climax in 2024.

Initially, there were concerns that the solar winds, which can travel between 500-800 kilometers per second, might induce a moderate G2 geomagnetic storm, potentially leading to radio blackouts and vivid auroras.

However, Spaceweather.com has reported that the intensity of the solar wind was less severe than expected, resulting in only a weak G1 geomagnetic storm. Despite the milder impact, the possibility of auroral displays remains, especially at higher latitudes.

The sun undergoes regular cycles of activity, marked by the emergence of sunspots, solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and coronal holes like the current one. These phenomena are tied to the sun's magnetic field, which undergoes a polarity reversal during the solar maximum.

Sunspots, in particular, are cooler regions on the sun's surface where magnetic fields are significantly stronger. As we edge closer to the solar maximum, scientists are preparing for more frequent and intense solar activity.

While the current coronal hole poses no significant threat to Earth as it moves in the direction away from the face of Earth, it shows our star's dynamic nature and the importance of monitoring solar activity for potential impacts on our planet's technology and environment.

Published By:
Sibu Kumar Tripathi
Published On:
Dec 6, 2023