Massive 'Black Hole' On Sun's Surface to Blast Earth with Solar Storms
- Hlias Frgks
- Dec 5, 2016
- 1 min read
A massive coronal hole on the sun is currently facing Earth, directing a solar storm at our planet which can potentially wreak havoc on communication and electrical systems.
On the plus side, though, the storm also means an increase in spectacular aurora borealis displays.
A solar wind stream is approaching Earth with wind speeds as high as 700 km/s.
First contact with the fast-moving gas on Dec. 7th and 8th could produce G1-class geomagnetic storms and auroras at high latitudes.
If you live near the Arctic Circle, get ready for Northern Lights.
The source of this solar wind stream is a hole in the sun's atmosphere, shown here in a Dec. 5th image from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory.
This is a "coronal hole"--a region where the sun's magnetic field has opened up, allowing solar wind to escape. Because this hole is broad, the emerging stream of solar wind is broad as well.
It should influence Earth for several days after it arrives.
