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 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 Advertisement On Wednesday morning, astronomers noted a series of solar flares and coronal mass ejections — essentially, giant explosions of energy — emanating from a massive sunspot more than 15 times the diameter of Earth. Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2024 The spectacle would be courtesy of a series of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the sun, which are forecast to reach the Earth early this weekend and produce the geomagnetic storms that trigger auroras. David Wysong, The Enquirer, 10 May 2024 Particles from a coronal mass ejection will arrive at Earth this weekend, causing a geomagnetic storm. Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 9 May 2024 In February 2022, a coronal mass ejection led to 38 commercial satellites being lost, according to NASA. Passant Rabie / Gizmodo, Quartz, 13 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 1 Jun. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!