An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
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An area in the → solar corona which appears dark in X-rays and ultraviolet light. The gas density in these areas are very low, about 100 times less than that of coronal → active regions. The magnetic field lines in a coronal hole extend out into → interplanetary space rather than returning to the Sun's surface, as they do in other parts of the Sun (→ open magnetic field line). Ionized hot gas can escape easily along such a path, and this brings about high speed → solar wind streams.

→ coronal; → hole.