2nd Giant Hole 20x Larger Than The Earth Seen On The Sun
A brand-new, enormous hole has formed on the Sun, and it might cause the solar wind’s speed toward Earth to significantly rise.
The hole is the second to appear in recent weeks and was discovered by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory. The increased solar wind may travel as fast as 1.8 million miles per hour, according to scientists.
It is possible for solar wind, a stream of charged particles that emanates from the Sun, to trigger geomagnetic storms on Earth. These storms have the potential to interfere with GPS, satellite communications, and power infrastructures.
The hole on the Sun’s surface is what NASA refers to as a “coronal hole,” which is a region where the magnetic field lines are open, making it easier for solar wind to escape. These holes frequently form in the poles or close to the equator on the Sun.
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Given that the magnetic field of the Sun undergoes an 11-year cycle of activity, the emergence of the second hole in recent weeks is not unusual. Solar Cycle 25, the current cycle, started in late 2019 and is anticipated to peak in 2025.
According to scientists, this cycle’s enhanced solar activity may cause geomagnetic storms to occur more frequently and with greater intensity.
It’s crucial to remember that the impacts of the solar wind on Earth will vary depending on a number of variables, such as the direction of the Earth’s magnetic field and the strength of the incoming solar wind.
Severe geomagnetic storms have in the past disrupted and damaged large areas. For instance, the 1859 Carrington Event, which was brought on by a powerful solar flare, resulted in the malfunction and ignition of telegraph networks throughout Europe and North America.
Although it is unlikely that a similar catastrophe would occur today, it is crucial for scientists to keep an eye on the Sun and its activity in order to better understand the potential effects on Earth.