Massive Coronal Hole on the Sun

[Eugene]

Source: NASA

Massive Coronal Hole on the Sun

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this picture of the sun on June 18, 2013, showing a huge coronal hole – seen here in dark blue -- spread out over almost the entire upper left quadrant of the sun. A coronal hole is an area of the sun’s atmosphere, the corona, where the magnetic field opens up and the material flows quickly out. This results in a cooler and less dense atmosphere than the surrounding areas. This coronal hole is at least 400,000 miles across, which is more than 50 Earths side by side. Coronal holes spew out fast solar wind, probably traveling at about 400-500 miles per second. This is roughly twice the speed of the normal solar wind, the solar material that is constantly streaming off the sun in every direction to fill the solar system.

Coronal holes were first spotted by NASA’s Skylab in the early 1970s. Scientists now know that their size and number varies in concert with the sun’s solar cycle, which reaches a maximum of activity approximately every 11 years. Every time the sun heads toward that maximum, currently expected for late 2013 or early 2014, the coronal holes move closer and closer to the sun’s poles.

This image of the sun from June 18, 2013, shows a coronal hole – that is, an area of cooler, less dense material in the sun’s atmosphere, the corona -- in the upper left side, represented in blue. In this image from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, the blue color represents light in the 171 Angstrom wavelength, which shows the coolest material present in the image. Two other wavelengths of light are also shown in the picture: 211 Angstroms, in red, and 193 Angstroms in brown. Credit: NASA/SDO

Page Last Updated: June 20, 2013
Page Editor: Jim Wilson
NASA Official: Brian Dunbar

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/news/gallery/20130618-coronalhole.html

[Sherman A1]

1. Wow

[NBachers]

2. Wow

[ashling]

3. What is the effect of this?

...

[thefool_wa]

13. Pretty pictures

or possibly the end of all life on earth. Maybe something in between.

[ashling]

14. ok ... well that's comforting ...

... but then, I grew up under the threat of total nuclear annihilation. I have been steeled to the concept and have learned how to deal with it - I can deal with it.

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... if anybody needs me,

I'll be safe here under my desk

[maindawg]

4. along with the super moon

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/20/supermoon-june-2013-perigee-moon_n_3461899.htm



One of the biggest celestial events of the year is almost upon us!

Set to peak on Sunday, June 23, the 2013 supermoon is noteworthy not only for the remarkable sight it will present to skywatchers but also because it will be the largest supermoon this year.

Also known as a perigee full moon, the event occurs when a full moon lines up with the Earth and the sun at a specific point in its orbit, called the lunar perigee. That's the point at which the moon is nearest to Earth as it traces its elliptical path around our planet.

Since it's closer to us, the moon appears up to 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than usual. Coined by astrologer Richard Nolle, the term "supermoon" essentially means a bigger and brighter full moon.

But what makes Sunday's supermoon so special?

While skywatchers will be able to spot another supermoon in July, the moon will not be this close again until August 2014.

The moon will turn full at 7:32 a.m. EDT Sunday. It will reach its closest point to the Earth 22 minutes earlier and will be visible after the sun sets that evening.

So be sure to step outside Sunday night to catch a glimpse of the June 2013 supermoon. (To see the perigee moon in all its oversized glory, try to spot it at moonrise or moonset, when it's on horizon.)

Can't make it outside? Follow HuffPost Science's coverage and see photos from around the world.l

[Atman]

5. We know too much.

Oh, to be a simple caveman, in awe of the full moon.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

6. Every other 11 year cycle is greater forming a 22 year cycle....

When you follow those cycles you find the peaks track perfectly for "good years" of wine.

[defacto7]

7. Spectacular!

We had what seemed an even larger hole a couple of weeks ago. right in the center. It's hole in the sun time in certain wavelengths.

[4dsc]

8. Science is so cool.

Luv it.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

9. OK, you KNOW what I thought that said, at first glance...

[mountain grammy]

10. We are so small and insignificant. The more we know what's out there,

the more we should appreciate and take care of wonderful planet earth. Hopefully we'll evolve into a better life form before it's too late.

[classof56]

11. K&R for future reference

And for how amazing this is!

[Silent3]

12. I blame vaccines and GMO crops

Greedy corporations aren't satisfied with destroying this planet, now they're wrecking the sun too!