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."

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.