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.
A strong solar storm headed to Earth could produce colorful aurora displays across more U.S. states than usual Tuesday night.
Planetary Sciences
Apr 15, 2025
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The NASA/ESA Solar Orbiter recently recorded the highest-ever concentration of a rare helium isotope (3He) emitted from the sun. A Southwest Research Institute-led team of scientists sought the source of this unusual occurrence ...
Astronomy
Apr 9, 2025
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108
A new study has provided precise atomic data that shed light on the impact of charged ions from coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Published in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series on March 18, the study was led by researchers ...
Astronomy
Mar 27, 2025
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26
The sun periodically ejects huge bubbles of plasma from its surface that contain an intense magnetic field. These events are called coronal mass ejections, or CMEs. When two of these ejections collide, they can generate powerful ...
Astronomy
Feb 24, 2025
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The largest solar storm in two decades hit Earth in May 2024. For several days, wave after wave of high-energy charged particles from the sun rocked the planet. Brilliant auroras engulfed the skies, and some GPS communications ...
Planetary Sciences
Feb 6, 2025
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109
A research team has presented a mechanism that explains how coronal dimmings—darkened, depleted areas on the sun caused by intense plasma eruptions—recover.
Astronomy
Nov 21, 2024
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On 4 August 1972, a burst of solar plasma rocked Earth's magnetic field after hurtling through space for about 14.6 hours—the fastest sun-to-Earth plasma journey ever recorded. The resulting space storm, one of several that ...
Astronomy
Oct 24, 2024
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54
A massive ball of plasma and accompanying magnetic field ejected from the sun is expected to strike Earth on Thursday morning, potentially triggering auroras as far south as Alabama, according to US forecasters.
Planetary Sciences
Oct 10, 2024
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131
The Southwest Research Institute-developed Solar Wind Plasma Sensor (SWiPS) has been delivered and integrated into a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellite dedicated to tracking space weather. SWiPS ...
Space Exploration
Oct 2, 2024
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56
In May 2024, a geomagnetic storm hit Earth, sending auroras across the planet's skies in a once-in-a-generation light display. These dazzling sights are possible because of the interaction of coronal mass ejections—explosions ...
Planetary Sciences
Sep 27, 2024
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