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
Solar flares, powerful bursts of radiation that travel at the speed of light, can produce coronal mass ejections that hurl plasma into space, creating an energized solar wind.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024
At the cycle’s peak, solar outbursts such as coronal mass ejections occur as frequently as two or three times per day.
—Saima S. Iqbal, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2024
The solar storm that the coronal mass ejections caused led to some reports of power grid irregularities and functional decreases in high-frequency, communications and GPS systems, NOAA said.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 10 Aug. 2024
What is a coronal mass ejection or CME? National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
—Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 23 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for coronal mass ejection 
Jamie Carter, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024
At the cycle’s peak, solar outbursts such as coronal mass ejections occur as frequently as two or three times per day.
—Saima S. Iqbal, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2024
The solar storm that the coronal mass ejections caused led to some reports of power grid irregularities and functional decreases in high-frequency, communications and GPS systems, NOAA said.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 10 Aug. 2024
What is a coronal mass ejection or CME? National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
—Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 23 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for coronal mass ejection
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.
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“Coronal mass ejection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coronal%20mass%20ejection. Accessed 20 Sep. 2024.
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