NASA’s astronomers have reported that a large and mysterious coronalhole was discovered close to the Sun’s southern pole on January 1. This hole is visible as the darkened area in images and measures many thousands of miles. It’s caused by the magnetic field that reaches into space instead of looping back onto the solar surface. It appears darker on the sun’s surface than in the area where particles enter space. To record images, the AIA instrument (Atmospheric Imaging Assembly), was used by astronomers. It is a NASA device that provides unprecedented views of the solar corona. A solar wind is the force that propels particles out of space at speeds up to 500 km/h. NASA astronauts aboard Skylab’s space station saw the first coronal holes in 1973. The shape of coronal holes may vary depending on their environment. They can be observed for as long as five years. Image from January 1st, 2015, showing the coronal holes. This is the region that lies in the southernmost part of the sun. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory. Scientists can track the speed of particles that flow away from a hole when it rotates around the Earth. The Earth’s radiation belts are charged particles that accelerate when they hit the Earth’s magneticosphere, which is the region around the planet where the dominant effective magnetic field exists. NASA’s Van Allen Storm Probe mission investigates the acceleration of particles within the magnetosphere. NASA’s Solar Dynamic Observatory stated in its New Year message that “As Solar Cycle 24 diminishes, the number and intensity of solar flares per day will decrease, but coronal holes provide another source for Space Weather, which must be studied and forecast.” “Happy New Year!”
NASA: A mysterious and massive coronal hole has appeared at the sun’s southern pole.
