Coronal Mass Ejection

Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) is a massive explosion of magnetic field and plasma from the Sun's corona (outer atmosphere) that blasts into space.

What is a CME?

Unlike solar flares, which are sudden flashes of light and radiation that reach Earth in minutes, Coronal Mass Ejections are physical clouds of matter.

• Composition: Billions of tons of magnetized solar particles, mostly electrons and protons.
• Speed: They travel through space at immense speeds, ranging from 250 km/s to over 3,000 km/s.
• Travel Time: It takes anywhere from 15 hours to several days for a Coronal Mass Ejection to reach Earth.

Core Impacts on Earth

When a Coronal Mass Ejection is directed toward Earth, its arrival disrupts our magnetic field, causing a geomagnetic storm.

• The Auroras: The incoming solar particles trigger brilliant Northern and Southern Lights, pushing them closer to the equator.
• Tech Disruptions: The magnetic disturbance can overload power grids, disrupt satellite electronics, and jam GPS and radio signals.
• Space Hazards: The intense radiation poses a direct threat to astronauts working outside Earth's atmosphere.