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A large hole has been recorded on the Sun; solar wind intensification is expected

A large coronal hole has begun to grow actively on the Sun, which in the coming days may cause an increase in the solar wind flow near the Earth and, consequently, affect the planet's geomagnetic conditions. The Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Institute of Space Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences reported this.

"In recent days, a large coronal hole has been growing on the part of the Sun facing the Earth. Its surface area has increased by about 50% in one day, which is a rapid increase," the laboratory said in a statement.

According to experts, this indicates a fast and dense solar wind flow expected in the coming days.

According to the laboratory's updated forecast, the speed of the solar wind near the Earth will begin to increase on August 18, and on the 19th-20th, it may reach 800-900 km/s, which is about 2-2.5 times higher than the norm.

Experts note that the wind speed at this speed may be the main factor that will affect the Earth's geomagnetic field in the next 7-10 days.

For now, the Earth's magnetic field will remain relatively calm.