NASA Warns: Scientists Discover Terrifying 'Dark Hole' on Sun - Experts Worried
A massive "enormous dark hole" has opened up on the sun's surface, spewing streams of "unusually fast radiation" directly towards Earth, leaving scientists baffled and concerned about possible effects.
The dark patch, known as a coronal hole, is larger than 60 Earths put together, according to experts at Space.com. This is an unprecedented size and orientation for a dark patch at this stage of the solar cycle.
NASA shared a video loop with the world on Saturday, showcasing the magnitude of this giant hole on the sun's surface. The hole, which formed on December 2nd, reached its maximum width of nearly 497,000 miles within 24 hours, according to Space Weather. This is an alarming rate of growth and size for a coronal hole.
The solar wind radiation being expelled from this massive hole is directed directly at Earth, triggering concerns about its potential impact. According to experts, this could cause mild to moderate "geomagnetic storms," which are temporary disruptions in the Earth's magnetosphere. These storms could have the potential to interfere with electrical grids, satellites, and high-frequency communication systems.
Reports say the event is creating solar wind which is headed towards Earth, with experts predicting it could set off a moderate geomagnetic storm that could trigger some radio blackouts.https://t.co/7hhDepIRPI
— ABC15 Arizona (@abc15) December 8, 2023
While this could potentially spell trouble for Earth, the solar wind radiation has been less intense than expected, with the resulting storm only being mild. However, experts believe that auroras may still be visible at high latitudes.
The duration of this coronal hole's presence is unknown, with previous dark patches on the sun's surface lasting longer than the typical 27-day solar rotation, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Interestingly, this is not the only sign of the sun's increasing activity in recent weeks. Just a week before the formation of this massive coronal hole, a "gigantic sunspot archipelago" emerged, releasing dozens of solar storms into space. On November 25th, a powerful "canyon of fire" eruption near the sun's equator resulted in a fast-moving cloud of magnetized plasma that hit Earth and caused rare orange auroras. And on November 28th, an "almost X-class" solar flare shot out of the sun, causing a geomagnetic storm that lit up lower latitudes with stunning displays of auroras.
Scientists are now speculating that these events could be a sign that we are nearing the peak of the sun's 11-year solar cycle. According to NOAA, they have updated their prediction for the sun's maximum activity which is now expected to happen between January and October of 2024, with a peak sunspot number of 137 to 173. This is a significant change from their previous prediction made in 2019, which suggested the solar maximum would occur around July 2025 with a lower maximum sunspot number of 115.
Overall, scientists are closely monitoring the activity of this "enormous dark hole" on the sun's surface and its potential impact on Earth. With the sun's increased activity and the uncertainty of its effects, it is essential to keep a close watch on any further developments. The sun, being the source of our light and energy, holds significant importance for the Earth and its inhabitants, and its unpredictable behavior is a reminder of its power and impact on our world.