Coronal Hole Facing Earth

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Coronal Hole Facing Earth

A significantly large coronal hole rotated across the middle of the Sun to be in a position to affect Earth (Dec. 9 - 13, 2013). Viewed in extreme ultraviolet light, the dark region is where the magnetic field of the Sun is more open, emitting streams of high-speed solar wind. Over the next few days, this solar wind is likely to impact Earth's magnetosphere and possibly cause displays of aurora.

Credit: Solar Dynamics Observatory/NASA

Source: NASA - Multimedia

[moonshadow60]

Oh, I hope there are lovely displays of the Aurora Borealis this year. When is it that the sun's polarity is supposed to shift?

[toast]

Oh, I hope there are lovely displays of the Aurora Borealis this year. When is it that the sun's polarity is supposed to shift?

Enjoy:

http://spaceweather.com/

[Waspie_Dwarf]

When is it that the sun's polarity is supposed to shift?

Any time now.

It's not something that can be predicted with 100% accuracy. Astronomers have been expecting it since August.

[moonshadow60]

Thank you for the link, Toast. I bookmarked it. I don't know much about space, physics or science, but it is a fascinating subject.

[Merc14]

One thing I have never seen in the sky is the Aurora Borealis and have always wished I had.