- Coronal holes are regions on the Sun that appear dark in ultraviolet and X-ray images because they are cooler and less dense, allowing faster solar wind to escape into space. This phenomenon was recently highlighted in the news with predictions of supercharged auroras due to fast solar wind from a massive coronal hole.

- The occurrence of such a large coronal hole near the solar equator is unusual, as they typically form near the poles during solar maximum. This event is part of increased solar activity signaling the approach of solar maximum, which could begin in early 2024.

- Despite the Sun's influence on Earth's climate through solar cycles, recent global warming trends are not attributed to solar activity but to other factors like greenhouse gas emissions, as solar energy reaching Earth has shown no upward trend since 1978.