Coronal Mass Ejection (CME)
An enormous eruption of magnetised plasma from the Sun's corona, launching billions of tonnes of material into space. When aimed at Earth, a CME can drive the largest geomagnetic storms one to three days later.
Imagery
Bastille Day Solar Flare and a Coronal Mass Ejection
A flare medium-sized (M2) flare and a coronal mass ejection erupted from the same, large active region (July 14, 2017).
2017
NASA/GSFC/Solar Dynamics Observatory · NASA media (public domain)
Environment & effects
Knowledge connections
- AffectsEarth
- Observed bySOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory)
- Associated withThe Sun
- Associated withSolar Flare
- Associated withGeomagnetic Storm
- Associated withGeomagnetic Storm
- Associated withThe Solar Cycle
- Associated withActive Regions
- Associated withESA Space Weather Service Network
- Associated withNASA DONKI
- Associated withProminence
- Associated withFilament
- Associated withMagnetic Reconnection
Sources
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.
- NOAA Solar CalculatorNOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory
Public-domain solar-position geometry: sunrise, sunset, solar noon, twilight, declination, and the equation of time.
Public domain (US Government work).