Coronal holes are special areas on the surface of the Sun in the sphere of its corona, which arise due to disturbances in the natural processes inside the star. In these places, the temperature and surface density decrease.
Coronal holes appear during a reduced peak in solar activity. They are formed, as a rule, at the poles and are associated with the ejection of pieces of plasma into outer space. The radiation flux always precedes the formation of a hole. These phenomena are recorded on Earth using radio telescopes.
Coronal hole in the sun: what threatens the planet and humanity
As soon as violations in the solar corona are recorded , an increase in electromagnetic activity on Earth should be expected. This is due to the fact that before the appearance of the hole in space, radioactive energy was released that moves to all the planets of our system. This worsens the well-being of weather-dependent people and affects the climate.
Northern Lights
Coronal holes cause the aurora borealis. This is due to the effect of plasma on the atmosphere and magnetic field of our planet. In the northern latitudes there is a pole around which energy is concentrated.
It, passing through the atmosphere, leads to the formation of bright flashes. They are called the northern lights. They are always associated with increased magnetic activity of the Sun or the Earth and often arise as a reaction to the effects of radiation.
Life of the sun
The sun is a star within which thermonuclear reactions constantly occur. Their essence is that hydrogen and its isotopes are burned, and helium is formed during the reaction. Then it burns down, forming heavier elements. The star itself lives only due to these reactions. They occur with a giant heat release and operate continuously.
The life of the Sun will be what it is now, only as long as it has hydrogen reserves. As soon as it ends, a collapse will occur, which will gradually reduce the volume of the star and weaken its power. The process of transforming helium into heavier substances will begin until the death of the star.
Coronal holes are a violation of natural processes on the Sun under the influence of strong electromagnetic activity. It can be caused by a reaction to external and internal stimuli.
For example, the solar system passes through a zone of increased radioactivity in our galaxy, and this is considered an external stimulus. Internal reasons are related to the completion of one solar cycle and the beginning of another.
Difficulty observing
Observation of the Sun is very difficult. The proximity of a star to our planet makes it difficult to study many processes because of the brightness and brilliance that makes it difficult to see.
Astronomers know little about such a thing as coronal holes. The main reason is that the Sun, as already indicated, is difficult to observe
Therefore, fixing the appearance of a coronal hole is not easy. In the 70s. in the orbit of our planet was installed a coronograph - a device for observing the Sun. He had to fix the formation of new holes.
The coronograph is designed in such a way that the star can be viewed without risk to vision.
But this device also does not allow stable observation of the surface of the body. Therefore, at the time of the outbreak, it is not always possible to establish whether radiation is moving toward the Earth, or whether it is directed away from it. These data become known as the mass separated from the Sun approaches the coronograph itself.
Hole Formation
Holes are believed to form once every two weeks. Most often, this is a natural process associated with a change in the phases of the work of the sun itself. However, these steps cannot be established, therefore, there are no exact predictions about the time and place of occurrence of new holes.
Obviously, the coronal hole on the sun has an electromagnetic nature. It is formed near the magnetic poles of a star. Through invisible communication channels, the Sun field connects with the earth. There is a transfer of information from one object to another. As a result, the magnetosphere of our planet is excited.
Observations of scientists
It is very important for scientists to learn to predict the time of appearance of coronal holes, the speed and direction of movement of solar flares. This will provide information on the weather on our planet, problems with the radioactive background, and prepare for these phenomena.
Recent observations show that a huge coronal hole appeared on the Sun. What consequences it will bring to earthlings is still unknown. It remains only to monitor new outbreaks and observe how they affect the health and behavior of people.
To learn more about a huge coronal hole, you need to track the star’s cycles of work, you need to analyze the external environment, improve the instruments that explore the Sun.
Science is developing, so over the years all this information will be obtained, while these studies are the work of future generations.