A 2nd giant ‘hole’ appears on the sun, could trigger more amazing aurora – National

A giant ‘hole’ up to 20 times the size of Earth has appeared on the surface of the sun for the second time in a week, and scientists say it could affect our planet. I am warning you.

Last week, Earth saw the consequences of the worst solar storm in six years, when a G4-class geomagnetic event lit up Canadian skies with auroras, many of which were seen as far as New Mexico in the United States.

Now, researchers say this new coronal hole could send solar wind to Earth at speeds of up to 2.9 million kilometers per hour by the end of the week.

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory discovery of coronal holeswhich is a perfectly normal phenomenon, but this particular hole arrangement is what makes it unique.

“This guy special Because it’s close to the sun’s equator,” Daniel Verscharen, associate professor of space and climate physics at University College London, told SkyNews.

“Because the sun rotates, an equatorial coronal hole can point toward the Earth at some point.”

According to NASA, coronal holes are usually harmless However, it can affect the Earth’s magnetic field, technology and satellites. High altitude radio and satellite communications may be temporarily disrupted. Similarly, a very large flare can overload electrical systems, impact airline flights, and shut down energy supplies.

It can also produce auroras that are more visible to the naked eye.

Verscharen told Insider that strong winds from this particular coronal hole are likely to “come to Earth this Friday night through Saturday morning.”

The appearance of this latest hole has put the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on alert, adding to the chance of spotting the Northern Lights.

“Arctic auroras are likely when the solar wind arrives,” says an alert from Spaceweather.com.

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A coronal hole is not a literal hole in the Sun, but a large region that is significantly cooler than the rest of the star. They originate in places where the Sun’s magnetic field lines do not close, sticking out into space, leaving room for the solar wind to blow out.

According to NASA, the sun is going through a cycle of activity and right now it is at its most active, creating more coronal holes than usual.

Solar activity on the Sun has been increasing since December 2019, with more sunspots and solar flares expected to peak in 2024.

And while this particular solar activity could spot some great auroras this weekend, scientists predict they won’t be as widespread as last week’s incredible aurora display.

Last week, several coronal mass ejections occurred around the same time that the hold was facing the Earth, creating a more significant geomagnetic storm.

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