coronal mass ejection

noun

, Astronomy.

1. a large-scale solar event involving an ejection of hot plasma that may accelerate charged particles and travel as far as the earth's orbit, preceded by a shock front that may create a magnetic storm on earth. : CME

coronal mass ejection

noun

1. a cloud of particles ejected from the sun's surface during a solar flare

coronal mass ejection

/ kôr′ə-nəl,kŏr′-,kə-rō′nəl /

1. A massive, bubble-shaped burst of plasma expanding outward from the Sun's corona, in which large amounts of superheated particles are emitted at nearly the speed of light. The emissions can cause disturbances in the solar wind that disrupt satellites and create powerful magnetic storms on Earth. They were first observed in the early 1970s, when photographs taken from satellites revealed coronal activity that could not be seen in images taken from Earth.

Example Sentences

This time around there is only one coronal mass ejection and experts believe the duration of the event will be much shorter.

From Los Angeles Times

The category G4 watch from NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center — the second such alert issued this year — warns of the possibility of a solar flare for Thursday and Friday, with a resulting coronal mass ejection from the sun that could disturb Earth’s electromagnetic field.

From Los Angeles Times

A sunspot group erupted Tuesday night that gave signs of a strong release of solar material and embedded magnetic fields, also known as a coronal mass ejection, which causes geomagnetic storms when they are directed at Earth, according to the prediction center.

From Los Angeles Times

The coronal mass ejection is predicted to reach the satellites Thursday morning, Eastern time.

From Los Angeles Times

“There is the potential for a coronal mass ejection to arrive at Earth late on Friday or early on Saturday, which could lead to visible aurora for Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of northern England,” said Met Office Space Weather Manager Krista Hammond.

From BBC