A massive coronal hole, spanning hundreds of thousands of kilometers, has formed on the Sun and is directly facing Earth. This structure is visible on the solar disk and is expected to release a solar wind stream.
This stream is projected to reach Earth on June 25, 2025, potentially causing a G1-class geomagnetic storm, which is considered minor. While the intensity is low, such storms can disrupt power grids at high latitudes and affect satellites.
They can also influence migratory animals. The appearance of coronal holes is common in the Sun's outer atmosphere, where temperatures reach millions of degrees.
In these regions, the plasma is cooler and less dense, and the star's magnetic field remains open, allowing plasma to be released into space as solar wind.
Although the speed and intensity of the solar wind associated with these coronal holes do not compare to those generated by coronal mass ejections (CMEs), they can still trigger moderate G2-type geomagnetic storms. In extreme cases, G5 storms can have devastating effects on global infrastructure.
Solar physicist Valentina Penza explained that these "holes" appear as dark spots in extreme ultraviolet or X-ray images. These are not actual voids but areas where the solar magnetic field allows plasma to escape into space, producing solar wind that can influence Earth's geomagnetic activity.
It is worth noting that a G5-intensity solar storm from May 10-13, 2024, was the strongest in 35 years, significantly impacting technological infrastructure and recorded over 55 hours.