A vast 500,000 mile-wide coronal hole has opened in the sun’s atmosphere, sending high-speed magnetic tradition towards the Earth. The area measures over 62 times the diameter of Earth and is now shooting high-speed solar wind towards us..
When such solar activity is directed at Earth, the resulting geomagnetic storms can potentially disrupt satellite operations, power grids, navigation systems, and radio communications. There may also be spectacular displays of aurora caused as the Earth’s magnetosphere is disturbed by the solar wind.
According to spaceweather.com, this wind is estimated to hit Earth by Friday, January 31, resulting in G1 geomagnetic storm conditions. While G1 storms are considered the mildest category, they can still have noticeable effects, particularly in terms of aurora visibility at higher latitudes.
The Sun’s activity was observed by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) spacecraft. Its mission is to study the Sun’s dynamics to “increase understanding of the nature and sources of solar variability”.
The coronal holes are regions where the Sun’s magnetic field lines open out into space, allowing solar wind to escape more easily.
The Met Office says there is a slight chance of seeing the Northern Lights in parts of the UK on Friday, increasing over the days after that, adding: ” A large coronal hole, currently in the eastern hemisphere, may cause an enhancement to solar winds from January 31. Quiet to Unsettled activity (Kp0-3) is generally expected through the forecast period, with a very slight chance of Active to G1/Minor Storm (Kp4-5) intervals early Day 1 (29 Jan) should any glancing CMEs arrive.
“An increasing risk of Active, or possibly G1 minor storm, intervals then possible on Days 3 and 4 (31 Jan- 1 Feb) with any connection to CH11/+ high speed stream.”
Northern Lights are caused when radiation from the Sun reacts with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere.