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.

—Ron Cowen

—abbreviation CME compare solar flare

Examples of coronal mass ejection in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, aurora forecasts can change quickly because the timing and strength of a coronal mass ejection are difficult to predict. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

Thanks to a coronal mass ejection, auroras could be visible as far south as Oregon, Illinois, and New York. —Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 12 June 2026

Space weather forecasters are tracking the possible arrival of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that left the sun on Tuesday, June 9, and Thursday, June 11, with NOAA predicting G2-level geomagnetic storming on Saturday, June 13. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026

The Space Weather Prediction Center is forecasting the arrival of three coronal mass ejections around mid-afternoon ET on Thursday. —Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 4 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for coronal mass ejection

• abjection
• advection
• affection
• bijection
• bisection
• collection
• complexion
• confection
• connection
• connexion
• convection
• correction