Scientists explain dark hole on the sun

Updated
Dark Hole Of The Sun
Dark Hole Of The Sun



The sun has a constantly changing surface which, at times, contains what appears to be holes.

NASA recently released a composite image taken on October 4th by its Solar Dynamics Observatory, which shows a dark, vacant-looking patch amidst bright swirls.

This noticeable area is called a coronal hole where gusty solar winds blow through an opening in the sun's magnetic field.

The space appears relatively dark because, in contrast with the packed, intense hot spots that surround it, it is an area with a lower density of particles and, therefore, a lower temperature.

Its wind currents tend to carry particles out of the sun at speeds of up to 500 miles an hour and can affect the weather in space around Earth.

With this particular system, Spaceweather.com estimates that this plasma stream could enter Earth's magnetic field around October 8th which could lead to auroras at high latitudes.

The likelihood of geomagnetic storms may increase as a result, possibly interfering with satellites, spacecraft, and other sensitive devices deployed around Earth's atmosphere.

RELATED: See photos of plasma activity on the sun



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