uniladtech homepage
  • News
    • Tech News
    • AI
  • Gadgets
    • Apple
    • iPhone
  • Gaming
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
  • Science
    • News
    • Space
  • Streaming
    • Netflix
  • Vehicles
    • Car News
  • Social Media
    • WhatsApp
    • YouTube
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
TikTok
Snapchat
WhatsApp
Submit Your Content
A massive hole has just opened up in the Sun
Home>Science>Space
Published 13:51 8 Dec 2023 GMT

A massive hole has just opened up in the Sun

This definitely doesn't sound like good news.

Prudence Wade

Prudence Wade

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover
Featured Image Credit: Credit: hadzi3 / Getty /Getty Stock Photo
Space
Sun

Advert

Advert

Advert

The news cycle can be pretty depressing, so we hate to be the bearer of more bad news.

Unfortunately, it looks like a 'huge hole' has opened in the Sun's atmosphere.

That's according to SpaceWeather.com, which also says it's now "spewing a stream of solar wind directly toward Earth".

A massive hole has opened up on the sun's surface.
Stocktrek Images / Getty

Advert

Sounds decidedly not great, if you ask us.

According to SpaceWeather.com, a hole has been photographed by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory and measures almost 800,00km long.

It's a coronal hole - but what does that actually mean?

Well, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coronal holes are cooler, less dense regions on the sun's surface and have an open, unipolar magnetic field.

The NOAA said: "This open, magnetic field line structure allows the solar wind to escape more readily into space, resulting in streams of relatively fast solar wind and is often referred to as a high speed stream in the context of analysis of structures in interplanetary space."

Essentially, the Sun is held in place by magnetic fields - when they suddenly open up, the contents of the Sun's surface starts streaming out.

The solar wind surging out from this particular hole has been pointing directly at the Earth since December 4.

Even though the hole is massive, it can't be seen by the naked eye (nor would we recommend looking up at the Sun, full stop).

That's because coronal holes can only be viewed under ultraviolet light.

The last time a massive hole triggered a geomagnetic storm was back in March, causing radio blackouts and beautiful auroral displays.

Solar storms can cause auroras in the sky.
Fredrik Meling / 500px / Getty

However, this one doesn't seem to have made quite so big an impact.

Only a weak storm has reportedly been caused so far - although SpaceWeather.com indicates it still could result in auroras, so it's worth keeping your eyes peeled at night.

It certainly seems like the sun has been getting frisky recently - in November a massive sunspot region appeared on the side closest to the Earth.

Made up of at least different sunspot groups, Space.com said, this collection was rather cutely dubbed a 'sunspot archipelago'.

What is less cute though is the 'barrage of solar storms' Space.com said it has started to direct towards Earth.

Choose your content:

11 hours ago
13 hours ago
15 hours ago
  • Grace Cary via Getty
    11 hours ago

    Doctor warns air conditioning unit could accidentally trigger nasty lung condition

    Keeping cool could have its downsides

    Science
  • Heritage Images / Contributor / Getty
    13 hours ago

    NASA whistleblower claims 'alien presence' that followed Buzz Aldrin was edited out of Moon photos

    Is there a more suspicious reason why the Apollo program ended in 1972?

    Science
  • Bloomberg / Contributor via Getty
    13 hours ago

    Dr. Phil says he's seen White House UFO files, and has proof of a government 'cover up'

    Some believe the government is keeping the best cards close to its chest

    Science
  • Halfpoint Images via Getty
    15 hours ago

    Weight loss drugs linked to unpleasant new side effect in major study of 50,000 people

    This might make you reconsider taking the treatment

    Science
  • The US just approved a massive space mirror to provide 'sunlight on demand' to millions
  • NASA satellite asleep for nearly a year just woke up to reveal secrets from deep space
  • Mind-blowing amount of time it would take to notice if the sun suddenly vanished from sky
  • Bizarre reason Elon Musk just spent one billion dollars on a massive gas turbine company