A coronal mass ejection (CME) is a large-scale eruptive solar phenomenon in which magnetized plasma from the Sun’s corona is expelled into interplanetary space, typically associated with magnetic reconnection in active regions or filament eruptions. CMEs involve the release of up to ~10¹⁶ g of plasma embedded in coherent magnetic flux rope structures and can attain speeds from a few hundred to over 2,000 km/s. Propagating through the heliosphere, they drive interplanetary shocks, restructure the solar wind and heliospheric magnetic field, and, upon interacting with planetary magnetospheres, can induce strong geomagnetic disturbances.
At times, the sun ejects energetic material into space, which can have consequences for space-based and even ground-based electronic technology. Researchers aim to understand this phenomenon and find ways to forecast it, ...
Astronomy
Jan 13, 2026
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Scientists have captured an exceptionally rare, high-resolution view of an active region that produced two powerful X-class solar flares—an achievement rarely possible from Earth. Using the GREGOR solar telescope in Tenerife, ...
Astronomy
Nov 28, 2025
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A first ever detection of a coronal mass ejection from a small red dwarf could have big consequences for life on any nearby planets.
Astronomy
Nov 28, 2025
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A geomagnetic superstorm is an extreme space weather event that occurs when the sun releases massive amounts of energy and charged particles toward Earth. These storms are rare, occurring about once every 20–25 years. On ...
Planetary Sciences
Nov 20, 2025
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Astronomers using the European Space Agency's XMM-Newton space observatory and the LOFAR telescope have definitively spotted an explosive burst of material thrown out into space by another star—a burst powerful enough to ...
Astrobiology
Nov 12, 2025
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Over the past few days, an active sunspot has erupted multiple times, sending clouds of high-energy plasma into space. The sunspot happens to be facing Earth just now, so the plasma clouds are heading in our direction.
Astronomy
Nov 12, 2025
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Space weather forecasters issued an alert on Tuesday for incoming severe solar storms that could produce colorful northern lights and temporarily disrupt communications.
Space Exploration
Nov 12, 2025
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In May 2024, part of the sun exploded.
Planetary Sciences
Oct 28, 2025
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The sun is frequently ejecting huge masses of plasma, called coronal mass ejections (CMEs), into space. They often occur together with sudden brightenings called flares, and sometimes extend far enough to disturb Earth's ...
Astronomy
Oct 27, 2025
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The European Space Agency-led Solar Orbiter mission has split the flood of energetic particles flung out into space from the sun into two groups, tracing each back to a different kind of outburst from our star.
Astronomy
Sep 1, 2025
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