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
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These solar storms take place when coronal mass ejections, or eruptions from the sun, send giant clouds of plasma into space. Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 28 Nov. 2024 This peak will result in more sunspots and coronal mass ejections, causing a shift in space weather that often causes aurora borealis to become more visible to more people. Ty Roush, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Beyond dazzling light displays, coronal mass ejections can have some pretty serious impacts on humans by affecting our technology. Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Oct. 2024 These storms are caused by coronal mass ejections associated with a recent solar flare from the sun. Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for coronal mass ejection 

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 10 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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