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 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, 3 June 2024 The Northern Lights may be visible again throughout Colorado on Sunday night if another coronal mass ejection—a burst of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun—occurs as expected this evening, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration official Shawn Dahl. Julianna O'Clair, The Denver Post, 12 May 2024 Several more intense coronal mass ejections are still anticipated to reach the Earth's outer atmosphere later Sunday, and could be visible over much of the northern half of the country. Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 12 May 2024 The solar flares, which began Wednesday around 5 a.m. ET, are associated with coronal mass ejections (CMEs) directed toward Earth. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 10 May 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.

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 4 Jul. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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