Huge Coronal Hole on Sun Could Generate Solar Storms and Impact Earth’s Infrastructure

Second occurrence of a large coronal hole on the Sun in a week

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has detected a huge coronal hole on the surface of the Sun for the second time in a week. This coronal hole is about 20 times larger than the size of the Earth and could create solar winds reaching up to 1.8 million miles per hour. The Solar Dynamics Observatory of NASA has captured images of this large coronal hole, which is worrying scientists as it is capable of generating potential effects on Earth’s infrastructure.

Increased Solar Activity Signifies Active Sun Cycle

The occurrence of coronal holes is an indicator of increased solar activity during an 11-year solar cycle. As explained by NASA, coronal holes are regions where the magnetic fields stretch open and allow high-speed solar winds to push out from the Sun’s atmosphere. Auroras, which are magnificent and luminous natural displays in the sky, are caused by these winds colliding with Earth’s charged atmosphere.

Impacts of Coronal Mass Ejections from Increased Solar Activity

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that are associated with increased solar activity caused by coronal holes can have severe impacts on planet Earth, especially in disarming satellite communications. CMEs can also cause power grid disruptions and radio blackouts when they combine with solar winds from coronal holes, generating a “perfect storm” capable of producing violence and destruction on a much larger scale.

Risk to Astronauts Due to Increased Radiation Emitted by the Sun

Beyond the protection of Earth’s ionosphere, radiation emitted by the Sun can be hazardous to astronauts. The Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich spacecraft of NASA has recently detected dangerous space weather that could threaten human safety beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

VIGIL Mission by European Space Agency to Monitor Solar Activity

To monitor solar activity and to better understand the science behind coronal holes, the European Space Agency is planning to launch a satellite mission named VIGIL in the mid-2020s. The mission aims to place a satellite at a position that can still communicate with Earth while observing the Sun from a different angle, providing better predictions of space weather.

G2-class Geomagnetic Storm Caused by Large Hole in Sun’s Atmosphere

On March 21, an enormous hole in the Sun’s atmosphere was discovered that was spewing out a powerful solar wind stream. Scientists believed this could impact Earth with a powerful G2-class geomagnetic storm on March 23-24. On confirmation from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), it was found that Earth will experience the G2-class geomagnetic storm caused by the solar winds from the coronal hole.

Aurora chasers may be witness to intense auroras during this storm, which are expected to reach Earth on March 24. Extremely powerful solar storms can also affect wireless communications, electronic infrastructure, satellites, mobile networks, internet services, power grids, and sensitive ground-based electronics.

Conclusion

Worrying evidence suggests that coronal holes on the Sun could create potential impacts on Earth’s infrastructure through CMEs and other dangerous phenomena. Increased radiation emitted by the Sun also poses threats to human safety beyond Earth’s atmosphere. The signs of heightened solar activity must be monitored closely to anticipate and mitigate the risks associated with it.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons