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
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center said Tuesday that an eruption on the sun known as a coronal mass ejection was observed Sunday, which sent plumes of solar material toward Earth.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 23 July 2024
In May, coronal mass ejections hit Earth to create one of the most impressive northern and southern lights displays in centuries.
—Kasha Patel, Washington Post, 25 June 2024
The spacecraft also has a new space weather tool, a sun-facing instrument targeting coronal mass ejections such as those that bombarded Earth with geomagnetic storms in May and pose a threat to the nation’s electrical and communication grids.
—Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 24 June 2024
The good news is that any major solar activity that could direct a coronal mass ejection toward Earth would be detectable with some lead time.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 26 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for coronal mass ejection 
Denise Chow, NBC News, 23 July 2024
In May, coronal mass ejections hit Earth to create one of the most impressive northern and southern lights displays in centuries.
—Kasha Patel, Washington Post, 25 June 2024
The spacecraft also has a new space weather tool, a sun-facing instrument targeting coronal mass ejections such as those that bombarded Earth with geomagnetic storms in May and pose a threat to the nation’s electrical and communication grids.
—Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 24 June 2024
The good news is that any major solar activity that could direct a coronal mass ejection toward Earth would be detectable with some lead time.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 26 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.
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 19 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share