A giant coronal hole the size of five Jupiters has formed on the Sun, which is now “exhaling” streams of solar wind directly toward the Earth. This dark area is the zone where the magnetic field of our star temporarily “opens up” like a table lamp, releasing particles faster than from other areas.
Coronal holes are invisible in the optical spectrum, but in the ultraviolet range, they appear as black spots on the surface. This is because the plasma there is colder and less dense than the plasma around it.
Currently, the configuration of these holes resembles a disturbing face: in the southern hemisphere, a giant hole looks like a mouth with a tongue, and in the northern hemisphere, two “eyes” the size of Jupiter each. All three zones are active and emit plasma flows.
Does it threaten the Earth?
— Summer in the Dark Ages (@JamesMcFee978) June 6, 2025
Although the images look disturbing and sad, Earthlings should not panic. Coronal holes are a common phenomenon. The powerful solar wind from them can cause weak geomagnetic storms if particles reach our magnetosphere. However, these storms are much milder than those caused by coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are real “explosions” in regions with extremely powerful magnetic fields.
This time, even a small geomagnetic storm is unlikely. The British Meteorological Office notes that fast wind flows from the southern hole can reach the Earth, but due to its remote location, the impact on the Earth will be minimal.
However, the Sun is very active now. Recently, the Earth experienced a powerful G4 storm, when the northern lights lit up even over southern latitudes. But this coronal hole is just one episode. Our star is approaching the peak of an extremely active 11-year cycle, so we are waiting for new spectacles. We hope that next time, its “facial expression” will be less disturbing!
Earlier, we told you how dangerous magnetic storms are.
Provided by sciencealert.com
