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

Recent Examples on the Web Sunspots produce solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which create the geomagnetic storms here on Earth that cause the aurora to appear. Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 20 May 2024 These explosions include solar flares and coronal mass ejections. George Petras, USA TODAY, 17 May 2024 The scientific explanation for what causes the lights is geomagnetic storms generated by solar coronal mass ejections, which in the past few days have been strong. Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 14 May 2024 Particles from a coronal mass ejection arrived at Earth this weekend, causing this geomagnetic storm. Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 11 May 2024 Solar flares erupting on the sun's surface sent coronal mass ejections hurtling toward Earth on Friday, causing a geometric storm that interfered with farming equipment at the height of planting season. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 14 May 2024 But the aurora activity over the weekend was unusual: Beginning Friday, scientists observed a series of intense explosions of plasma and magnetic fields from the sun’s atmosphere known as coronal mass ejections. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2024 The pink and purple beams, created by a series of coronal mass ejections from the sun that produced geomagnetic storms triggering auroras, were visible across the state by those who found a dark spot and looked at the right time. Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 13 May 2024 The next bursts of solar material are expected to arrive at Earth midday on Sunday, according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, which issued a geomagnetic storm watch in anticipation of G4 or G5 events likely following those upcoming coronal mass ejections. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 12 May 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'coronal mass ejection.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 11 Jun. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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