coronal mass ejection

noun

: a tremendous outburst of energy from the corona of the sun that can cause disruptions in the earth's geomagnetic field
As they had for the January eruption, the researchers relied on an armada of spacecraft to track the disturbance, known as a coronal mass ejection because it originates in the sun's outer atmosphere, or corona.R. Cowen
abbreviation CME
compare solar flare

Examples of coronal mass ejection in a Sentence

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This type of solar event is not as intense as coronal mass ejections, which are bursts of magnetic field and plasma from the Sun's outer atmosphere, according to Rob Steenburgh, a space scientist with the NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. Chandelis Duster, NPR, 14 Feb. 2025 Daniel: After a coronal mass ejection, those magnetic fields from the sun travel all the way to Earth. Ari Daniel, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Feb. 2025 Following a solar flare or a coronal mass ejection, plasma from the Sun is propelled through space. Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 27 Jan. 2025 The agency expects a minor or greater geomagnetic storm—a disturbance of Earth’s magnetic field—on Saturday, which increases the likelihood of northern lights displays being visible to more people, as the effects of a recent coronal mass ejection reach Earth, according to NOAA’s three-day forecast. Ty Roush, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for coronal mass ejection 

Word History

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of coronal mass ejection was in 1974

Dictionary Entries Near coronal mass ejection

Cite this Entry

“Coronal mass ejection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coronal%20mass%20ejection. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025.

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