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
Recent Examples on the Web
This activity, which includes events like solar flares and coronal mass ejections, is responsible for the aurora borealis displays.
—Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
This is the result of a coronal mass ejection (CME) whirling toward Earth that's expected to reach our magnetic field heading into the weekend.
—Meredith Garofalo, Space.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Scientists aim to use these artificial eclipses to unravel a number of mysteries, such as why the sun's corona, or outer atmosphere, is so hot, what accelerates the solar wind, and how the sun flings material out into space during coronal mass ejections.
—Andrew Jones, Space.com, 12 May 2025
Northern lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, occur when solar activity, such as solar flares or coronal mass ejections, causes magnetic storms.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 6 May 2025
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Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
This is the result of a coronal mass ejection (CME) whirling toward Earth that's expected to reach our magnetic field heading into the weekend.
—Meredith Garofalo, Space.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Scientists aim to use these artificial eclipses to unravel a number of mysteries, such as why the sun's corona, or outer atmosphere, is so hot, what accelerates the solar wind, and how the sun flings material out into space during coronal mass ejections.
—Andrew Jones, Space.com, 12 May 2025
Northern lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, occur when solar activity, such as solar flares or coronal mass ejections, causes magnetic storms.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 6 May 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 3 Jun. 2025.
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