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
R. CowenExamples of coronal mass ejection in a Sentence
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Most displays are down to geomagnetic storms caused by an intense solar wind powered by coronal mass ejections.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
The sun also produces powerful solar flares and coronal mass ejections that trigger geomagnetic storms, which lead to northern lights here on Earth.
—Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
For example, when the sun burps out a cloud of plasma called a coronal mass ejection (CME), PUNCH can determine the CME's exact trajectory and velocity, following the CME all the way through the inner solar system and towards Earth (if it's indeed headed to us).
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 27 Feb. 2025
While sunspots are in many ways the opposite of coronal holes, this is still good news for those after a glimpse of the northern lights—as sunspots are known to release both solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which can trigger stunning aurora here on Earth.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
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Jamie Carter, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
The sun also produces powerful solar flares and coronal mass ejections that trigger geomagnetic storms, which lead to northern lights here on Earth.
—Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
For example, when the sun burps out a cloud of plasma called a coronal mass ejection (CME), PUNCH can determine the CME's exact trajectory and velocity, following the CME all the way through the inner solar system and towards Earth (if it's indeed headed to us).
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 27 Feb. 2025
While sunspots are in many ways the opposite of coronal holes, this is still good news for those after a glimpse of the northern lights—as sunspots are known to release both solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which can trigger stunning aurora here on Earth.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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 24 Mar. 2025.
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