المملكة: Jeddah Astronomy: A coronal hole faces the Earth and solar winds may cause a magnetic storm

Warned Artificial satellitesspecialized in observing the sun have revealed the presence of a wide coronal hole in the outer atmosphere of the sun, characterized by an extended structure resembling a valley or deep groove, and it is in a position directly facing Planet Earthat the present time.

Abu Zahra indicated that monitoring images in extreme ultraviolet rays showed that this coronal hole releases an active stream of high-speed solar winds towards the Earth, indicating that space weather models expect these winds to reach the Earth’s magnetic field on December 18, 2025, which may lead to the occurrence of G1 class geomagnetic storms, which are storms that are scientifically classified as weak.

Phenomena Solar

Abu Zahra explained that coronal holes are one of the well-known solar phenomena, as they represent regions in the solar corona in which the density of plasma decreases, and in which the magnetic field lines are open towards space, unlike the active regions that are magnetically closed.

This open structure allows the flow of solar wind at speeds higher than the usual rate, which may exceed 500 kilometers per second. When these holes are directed directly towards the Earth, the chances of the solar wind interacting with the planet’s magnetosphere increase, leading to geomagnetic disturbances whose intensity varies according to the speed and density of the wind and the direction of the accompanying magnetic field.

Geomagnetic storms

The president of the association indicated that G1 geomagnetic storms do not pose a direct threat to the terrestrial infrastructure, but they may record some limited effects, such as minor disturbances in high-frequency radio communications, and minor fluctuations in systems. Satellite navigation, in addition to enhancing the opportunities for observing the aurora borealis in areas near the polar circles.

Abu Zahira stressed that the potential impact of this phenomenon on the Arab world is very weak to almost non-existent, given the region’s location within the medium and low latitudes, where the strong effects of magnetic storms do not usually reach.

Expected storm

He added that the expected storm, being a G1 category, will not result in any electrical outages or disturbances. It is tangible in communications or aviation, and does not pose any health risk to humans, and its impact – if any – is limited to minor technical fluctuations monitored by specialized devices without the general public noticing them.

This phenomenon falls within what is known as space weather, which is a scientific field that specializes in studying the impact of solar activity on the space environment surrounding the Earth. Solar observatories are constantly following up on these developments, given their importance in protecting satellites, communications networks, and global navigation systems.

The President of the Astronomical Society in Jeddah concluded his speech by emphasizing that such events are normal and recurring during the cycle of solar activity, but they remain the subject of increasing scientific and media interest, given their direct connection to the modern technologies on which the contemporary world depends.

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