NASA Spots 'Substantial Coronal Hole' on Sun

A massive hole has been spotted on the surface of the sun, scientists report – only it is not really a hole at all.

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory noted the dark area on the surface of the sun – known as a coronal hole – according to Business Insider.

"A substantial coronal hole began to rotate into view" last Thursday and Friday, NASA reported, adding: "In about a week or so that coronal hole might send streams of particles in the direction of Earth."

Business Insider explained the dark spots are really just gaps in the sun's magnetic field, spots where it is weaker than normal, and they form on the outermost layer of the sun.

Because the areas are cooler than their surroundings, they appear black on X-ray telescopes, the outlet reported.

Though fast-traveling solar particles escape into space from the gaps, the sun junk does not usually pose a threat to Earth, where our magnetic field protects us, Business Insider reported.

But on occasion, the particles can disrupt satellite and communications systems – and lead to a brighter Aurora Borealis, NASA reported.

NASA posted its video of the coronal hole on its own website, as did Business Insider.

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