A million-kilometer-wide coronal hole has formed on the Sun.

Another large coronal hole has formed on the Sun, this time with a rather unusual shape. It resembles a giant inverted number "1," although with a little imagination, much more can probably be discerned here, as in the clouds. The "number" is approximately a million kilometers high. The "occupation" of the Sun by coronal holes began in the first months of last year, immediately after the peak of the solar cycle (which occurred between October and December 2024). This led to a sharp 60% increase in the number of magnetic storms last year. There are no signs of this trend reversing—just look at today's Sun. The number of magnetic storms in the new year is expected to exceed the previous year's figures. Overall, the increase in magnetic storms could continue for at least another two years, until approximately 2028, after which a rapid decline in all types of solar activity should begin, leading to a transition to solar minimum around 2029-2030. For the same reasons, the next 2 years will be favorable for observing the northern lights.