A huge spot on the surface of the sun releases solar winds that reach Earth at the end of the week.. Here are the details

Weather of Arabia - Although our sun is about 149 million km away from us, a spot on the surface of the sun can cause some confusion on Earth, and this is what scientists expect with the observation of a huge spot on the surface of the sun that sent solar winds at a speed of 1.8 million miles per hour, Which we will witness the effects of the end of the week.

The Solar Dynamics Observatory of the US space agency "NASA" revealed an image showing a dark spot in the shape of a triangle in the surface of the sun 20 times larger than Earth. It is expected that our planet will witness the impact of the winds on Friday, according to the British newspaper "Daily Mail".

The new coronal hole follows an even larger one — about 30 times the size of Earth — spotted on March 23, which unleashed solar winds that caused spectacular aurorae as far south as Arizona.

Scientists are watching the event closely to see if the winds will affect Earth's magnetic field, satellites and technology.

The solar wind generates aurorae at high latitudes on Earth, but the solar wind can also disrupt space satellites, power grids, and GPS navigation systems.

Why are coronal holes a concern?

The Sun is constantly shooting hot gases from its surface, a continuous stream of charged particles (mostly protons and electrons) known as the solar wind.

When these solar wind particles reach Earth—which takes two to four days, depending on their speed—they cause "geomagnetic storms," which are temporary disturbances in Earth's magnetosphere.

Geomagnetic storms can penetrate our atmosphere, threaten the operation of spacecraft and astronauts, disrupt navigation systems (GPS) and disrupt power grids on Earth.

In 1859, a massive solar storm known as the CMEs Carrington Event disrupted communications on Earth.

If such an event were to happen today, it would have catastrophic effects on our communication systems.

According to astrophysicists, the probability of a solar storm capable of causing catastrophic disruption in the next 10 years ranges between 1.6% - 12%.

Also read: What are coronal holes?