Scientists have recently identified a colossal void, spanning an area greater than 60 Earths, in the sun’s atmosphere. Termed a “coronal hole,” this enigmatic dark region resides on the outermost layer of the sun’s surface, known as the Corona, and was captured by NASA from December 2 to December 4, 2023. Experts warn that these sizable coronal holes may potentially trigger geomagnetic storms, ushering in phenomena such as radio blackouts and auroras (the natural display of colorful lights in the sky ).
What is a coronal hole?
Unlike literal holes in the sun’s surface, these represent cooler areas on the giant star, appearing darker in ultraviolet and x-ray imagery compared to the brighter and more densely packed surrounding regions.
